Authority welcomes Morobe government’s decision to withdraw legal proceedings

The National National

THE Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) has welcomed the recent decision by Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu to withdraw legal proceedings against the State in relation to the Wafi-Golpu copper-gold project.
Managing director Jerry Garry said the project had been put on hold because of the court case filed by the Morobe government challenging the memorandum of understanding signed last year by the joint venture development partners Newcrest Mining Ltd and Bulolo, and the Peter O’Neill-led government.
The Government and the Morobe government agreed last week to move ahead with the special mining lease (SML) approval process.
The total project is estimated to cost around K17 billion.
Garry said the court injunction had prevented everyone from doing anything on the Wafi-Golpu project.
Consequently, all the statutory assessment process by the MRA had to be suspended.
Mining Minister Johnson Tuke and Saonu last Thursday signed the tentative timetable proposed by the provincial government.
However, the State through MRA development coordination branch will finalise its work programme after consulting stakeholders including the development partners.
They will announce a schedule for the following activities:

  • To formalise the landowning groups for the SML pipeline corridor and deep sea tailings placement outfalls;
  • To hold stakeholder meetings through the development forum process for the memorandum of agreements on benefit sharing agreements;
  • To concurrently re-initiate dialogue with the joint venture partners for the mining development contract;
  • TO conclude technical assessments review financial modelling and prepare assessments for mining advisory council’s consideration;
  • TO ensure that environment permitting process is completed in timely manner because the environment permit is a mandatory requirement for SML permitting; and,
  • TO finalise compensation agreements.

Garry said Prime Minister James Marape’s assurance to the developers that Wafi-Golpu would be permitted under the current laws “is wonderful news”.
“We will convey our intensions to the developer and we are looking forward to recommence our assessment and negotiations processes by end of May,” he said.