Chan directs review of Porgera agreement

By JEFFREY ELAPA
MINING Minister Byron Chan has directed the Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) to proceed with the review of the Porgera agreement.
Chan made the comment when receiving a memorandum of understanding position paper from Porgera landowners yesterday.
He said he was aware of the issues raised by Porgera landowners and had directed a long waited Porgera Mine agreement review to proceed immediately in a meeting with MRA and landowners.
Porgera Mine has been operating for almost 20 years without an agreement review.
The initial agreement entered into 1989 was for the mine to operate for only 12 years.
But the mine sought variation to the mining contract and extended the mine life and expanded production without considering the landowners call for a review.
The landowners said the delay was a gross abuse and violation of human rights.
They said food and land shortages were a concern for many stakeholders.
The landowner said their cry for a mining agreement review had been ignored for the past 22 years.