Association calls for same benefits as SML landowners

By DALE LUMA
LEASE for Mining Purposes (LMP) landowners in Porgera want to be given the same benefits as Special Mining Lease (SML) landowners in the new Porgera mine agreement.
Chairman of the Porgera LMP Association Inc Jeff Tindiwi, representing 14 tenements, yesterday said they currently did not have an agreement for benefits which had been the case since the signing of the previous mining lease.
Tindiwi said of the 51 per cent state equity in the new mine framework, the 15 per cent free equity agreed to by the state and Barrick Niugini Ltd (BNL) should be given to LMPs for environment impacts on their land since the Porgera Mine began.
They also demand a:
l DETAILED compensation agreement;
l SEPARATE one-off payment of US$15 million to be paid to them, settling of bills, preparation of development forum and business spinoff opportunities; and,
l DETAILED response in writing addressing all demands from Kumul Mineral Holdings Ltd before the start of the development forum.
Tindiwi said their more than 70,000 population in Porgera supported mining for the past 30 years.
“The Government must give us equal benefits and we want a formal written recommendation,” he said.
Chairman of the state negotiation team Dairi Vele said officers from Government departments would go to Porgera to discuss the issues with the landowners.
Vele said the proper identification of landowners through validation would have to take place first.