Authority keen to continue project

By GYNNIE KERO
THE Mineral Resources Authority is looking forward to completing the landowner formalisation process, discussing benefit-sharing arrangements among other things regarding the Wafi-Golpu copper-gold project.
Managing director Jerry Garry said the authority welcomed the National Court decision in Lae on Tuesday which dismissed a review application filed by the State and Morobe Governor Ginson Soanu. It lifted the injunction relating to the project.
Garry said the injunction had stopped everyone from progressing work on the Wafi- Golpu project since the first quarter of last year.
“Consequently, all the statutory assessment process by the MRA were suspended. Regrettably, all the activities on the project site were also suspended leading to the laying off of project personnel,” he said.
Garry said while the judicial system provided the avenue for justice, it was also equally important to weigh out consequences and effects before engaging in lengthy litigation.
“The MRA welcomes the decision and looks forward to completing the landowner formalisation process, re-engage in development forum to discuss benefit-sharing arrangements, and conclude the Special Mining Lease permitting process,” he said.
Project partners Australia’s Newcrest and South Africa’s Harmony Gold are expected to use the block cave mining method.
It is also expected that the initial capital investment would be around K9.1 billion, with total capital expenditure expected to be around K17.4 billion over the 28-year life of the mine.
Garry told The National earlier that Wafi Golpu was a mega project which required “a lot of stakeholder participation”.
“Wafi Golpu will take years for construction.
“The Ok Tedi copper and gold mine in Western has a life span of 10 years.
“It’s critical to have the project up. If we don’t get it on time, we will have not have copper.”