Armed men try to hold up workers at Porgera mine

BARRICK (Niugini) Limited has reported a firearm-related incident at its Porgera mine in Enga.
A statement from the company said an armed group of men tried to hold up two workers in a vehicle near the open pit on Sunday afternoon.
The workers were travelling through the operating sites at the mine.
“When the vehicle slowed to avoid the intruders, a number of the would-be thieves jumped onto the back of the vehicle in an attempt to steal mine equipment, ” the statement said.
However, they were unsuccessful due to the quick reaction of the mine employees who accelerated away from the area.
“Mine management confirmed that while the Porgera mine employees were not injured, the confrontation was a continuation of the escalation of firearm-related incidents at the mine in recent months.
“This is just the latest in a number of gun-related incidents that have occurred on the mining lease in recent months.”
The management will be working with the police in their investigation.