BNL enters conservation programme deal

BARRICK Niugini Limited, the operator of the Porgera gold mine, has entered into a public-private-partnership with the Government for the conservation of two high biodiversity wilderness areas.
They are the Strickland Headwaters in Hela and the Kaijende Highlands in Enga.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 21, 2016, parties will roll out two pilot projects to demonstrate the Forest Stewards Programme for community-based bio-cultural conservation at the Strickland Headwaters, and the application of the Strickland Headwaters under the REDD+ mechanism.
Parties to the memorandum are the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, the Climate Change and Development Authority, American anthropologist Dr William Thomas and Barrick.
Head of CCDA Joe Pokana said his team on the REDD+ would work on the arrangement.
“It’s something that we want to encourage and we would like to encourage other players in the private sector to also get involved,” Pokana said.
“You are painting a good picture that you are looking after the environment as well.
The stakeholders are really happy to see that Barrick has taken the initiative to be part of this arrangement.” CEPA managing director Gunther Joku said it was the first time the authority had partnered with the private sector and with an individual (Dr Thomas) under the arrangements for the proposed conservation projects.