Case over mine lease adjourned

The National Main Stories

DEPUTY Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi yesterday adjourned the case of Porgera gold mine operator Barrick Niugini Ltd (BNL) to Friday so the court can consider and sign off preceding orders and warrants of court and to hear pending and new applications to be filed before Friday.
The adjournment would also allow State lawyer Tauvasa Tanuvasa to go through a proposal filed by Barrick lawyer Derek Wood, of Ashurst Lawyers.
“The defendant and the rest of the parties will have to have a look at the proposal and respond before close of business on May 13 (tomorrow),” Kandakasi said.
“Parties are to meet by May 14 to have further discussions on the matter and the matter returns on Friday.”
BNL and the State have not come up with any resolutions regarding resolving issues arising from the transition period following the Government’s refusal to extend the miner’s special mining lease.
These were directives given by the National Court on April 30, after the miner took the matter to court seeking a judicial review of the Government’s decision.
Barrick and the State were given directives by the court to cooperate to collectively address the situation under the clause 19.1 (d) and (e) of the Mining Development Contract which was signed in May 12, 1989.
Section 19 allows the Porgera Joint Venture to remain in mine for a year following expiry date to remove and recover assets and equipment including explosives, and to ensure that the mine area is safe and in a suitable condition, having regards to natural conditions as well.

8 comments

  • While BNL has confirmed to honour resolutions agreed with the government and the landcos, The Government is playing a bully tactic.
    BNL has given more opportunities to over thousands of nationals and graduates from various universities and institutions including the landcos and the people of PNG as a whole.
    BNL should be commended for its role and contributions to the PNG economy than having to bulldoze it with all the nationals that depend on its operation.

  • Government should make its stand very clear as early as possible whats the next course of action when the assets are intact.

  • We must get together and put head over in pay respectful discissions of Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea and follow up with you about the your only option.

  • Los are losers with pjv. Govt decision is the right one. Stand firm PMJM. We know the way into the future

  • Barrick has made more than enough from Porgera mine and as a result of the huge profit the socioeconomic & environmental DISASTER is immeasurably more than we can expect. The government of png does not have a record of how many of the gold in bullion is made & shipped out of this country.
    We can sit down watch Hollywood movies when they ripp us off of our natural resources.

  • This land belong to the indigenous people of Papua new guinea and it’s govern by its government. Whatever decision the PM and his government makes is for the good of his people. Investors must abide by the government s decision. Don’t fight with the government’s decision. Just pack up and leave BNL.

Comments are closed.