All that glitters is gold

THIS is regarding gold mining in Papua New Guinea.
On Sept 16, our nation became 43 years old.
We got political independence from Australia on Sept 16, 1975, without bloodshed.
From that very time up till now, I have heard many wonderful and exciting stories about gold mining in PNG.
It started with the Panguna mine in Bougainville. Then the gold rush in Wau-Bulolo, in Morobe.
After Wau-Bulolo, Ok Tedi Mining in Star Mountains of Western came into operation, producing much gold. And the stories continue.When I entered high school, I learnt more about gold and how it was mined.
More mining stories came from Misima Gold Mining on Misima Island, Milne Bay, and Tolokuma Gold Mining in Central.
Then the first gold mine in the Highlands opened at Porgera, in Enga, which became known as the Porgera Joint Venture Gold Mining Company.
A friend of mine who was employed there told me how they were treated and the benefits he reaped while working with the company.
You will all agree with me that in general, mining companies operate in PNG and around the world on billion-kina budgets because they know that they can make billions more from their gold bars.
It is the same for other mining companies like Lihir and Simberi, in New Island province, Kainantu, in Eastern Highlands, Hidden Valley, in Morobe, and the latest with the likely rebirth of the giant Panguna mine in Bougainville.
It is amazing and almost unbelievable to think of the riches that God has given us, the people of Papua New Guinea.
Not all countries in the world have gold in their land.
Some countries have little and some countries have plenty.
In Papua New Guinea, mining companies have been contributing in a big way to our economy.
I used to wonder about the amount of gold that has been dug out of this country and if any of it is in our reserve bank. I am worried that some other countries are getting more out of our gold than we are.
If we go through the records we will see that the amount of gold that has been produced over these years has been huge.
Why can’t PNG start thinking about having the Bank of PNG hold on to gold as a form of reserve.
It is my personnel view that nations whose currencies are strong have more gold bars in their reserves. I am only talking about gold, but what about gas, oil, fish, coffee, timber, cocoa, and coconut?

Rex Maima
Bonified Citizen
Asaro Gipe