Authority says relocation work in progress
THE Mineral Resources Authority is working with stakeholders of the Woodlark gold project in Milne Bay to ensure locals are properly relocated and resettled, says managing director Jerry Gary.
Gary said Geopacific Resources, the operator of the A$200 million (K458.6mil) project had raised A$49 million (K112.37mil) to begin construction and development.
The Perth-based miner has put aside A$17 million (K38.98mil) from the A$49million (K112.37mil) for the resettlement exercise.
Gary was responding to a statement by Samarai-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard on the relocation plan for locals in the project area.
Leonard said there should be a proper relocation plan, especially for Kulumadau villagers.
“I also learnt that they (operator) will be relocating the people living on one of the proposed open pit sites,” he said.
“The villagers told me that there is no memorandum of agreement with them and no proper planning.” But Gary yesterday explained that an agreement signed during granting of a mining lease to the previous operator Kula Gold six years ago was still effective.
“We (MRA) will engage with various parties such as Commerce and Industry and Labour departments and others to ensure the MoA is revisited and amendments are done to realign with the overall plan,” he said.
One thought on “Authority says relocation work in progress”
Make sure that the Landowners rights to a MOA with current developer is a must before any work is conducted on Woodluck.
Make sure people are relocated and provide tangible benefits like modern house, planned sanitation and water system, built hospital and school before this mine goes into opetation.
Use the experience of Misina mines to make sure an post mine plan is in place befire mine start and economic benefits start flowing into the woodluck island communities when the mine start. The mine should source all in food locally, man power locally and within Milne Bay first before it bring non mne bayans to the island. Local culture and way of life must be preserved as much as possible.
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