Business houses, public hail mine’s reopening

By CLARISSA MOI
BUSINESS houses in Porgera, Enga, and the public have welcomed the reopening of the mine later this year, according to the Porgera chamber of commerce and industry.
President Nickson Pakea said that more than 9,000 sub employees and their families that depended on the mine had been affected due to its closure last April, hence, the announcement to resume operations was applauded by all stakeholders. “One year of the mine’s closure is now a year of lost business,” he said.
“Some might not even get back to their business due to pending bank loan pressures and carry forward loans.
“The closure of the mine affected not only businesses, but families as well. Some students withdrew from school last year, especially those in private schools.
“More than 9,000 sub employees and their families were affected apart from the general 70,000–plus population of Porgera.” Pakea said they expected to see the mine resumptions no later than September and as all parties (State and developer) had agreed at the Paiam Oval on June 4.
Barrick Niugini Ltd (BNL) expects to resume operation before end of the year following its closure last April over the rejection of an application to renew its mining lease.
The new Porgera framework agreement was successfully negotiated with BNL in April.