Chamber lauds reaction on Porgera

By BOSORINA ROBBY
THE Chamber of Mines and Petroleum has supported a government decision to strengthen law and order at the Porgera gold mine in Enga province.
Last week, a group of illegal miners raided the mine site and damaged properties and equipment.
The chamber’s executive director Greg Anderson said it had been kept updated on the situation and applauded the state’s response for a call-out of police and defence force personnel to the site.
He said illegal mining had been a concern for all mining operations, worsening over the years and more so recently with the level of aggressiveness also increasing.
He said this could be seen from injuries to mine staff and damage to property last Thursday.
“We welcome the state’s intervention on this serious problem and support it as safety is a big issue for any mining company,” Anderson said.
“They are not only a threat to the mine and its staff and property but also to the community around the mine.
“These people, who numbered in the thousands, were not from around the mine but were outsiders and they need to be dealt with.”
The mob of illegal miners last Thursday raided the mine site, damaging property especially vehicles, injuring and holding hostage three mine staff.
Work was halted until safety was guaranteed. Enga Governor Peter Ipatas and Porgera mine general manager Greg Walker had asked the state to send assistance to contain the situation.
Anderson said although people were becoming well-organised in their illegal mining, they were also putting themselves and everyone else at risk with their behaviour.
Last month, five men who were illegally digging for gold were killed in a routine mine blast exercise.