Check mine’s operation

Letters

THE article “Ramu NiCo aims to improve reputation, achieve goals”, published in The National on Jan 20, 2020 is deceptive in nature and misleading.
The company is very cunning and clever in deceiving the people – especially the landowners and other stakeholders and provincial governments.
This media report was one of their ways of deceiving people, covering up the truth to misguide the people to shift their minds on future hopes and promises that hold no substance at all.
This usually happens when the company has plans to extend its operations into new areas.
In 2017, similar news were published in lead up to the extension of operation into a 30,912sqm of area belonging to the Pagasi clan.
Hopes of increased labour hire and improved benefits were the news headlines.
What actually materialised after the area with its flora and fauna, good fertile soil, resourceful quality trees all gone with fresh natural drinking waters contaminated and food gardens left flooded with sediments from the mines pits.
No tangible benefits to the local communities and the Madang provincial government.
Too many Chinese employees are occupying localised positions taking up local labour opportunities.
What a regret for PNG to have its resources depleted silently without any tangible benefits by this company.
It’s about time the real issues at hand with this mine operated by the Chinese need to be revealed and the government of the day needs to be properly informed of these issues.
Landowners are suffering in silence. A report of this mine outlining all issues at hand will soon be published in the media.
Landowners, regulatory bodies such as MRA, Cepa, DEC, Labour and Industrial Relations and Immigration need to work together to get this deceitful company to reconsider and operate openly and transparently and explore on opportunities to maximise benefits from this so called world class nickel mine.
We have top mining companies such as Porgera Joint Venture, Lihir Gold Mine, Ok Tedi Mining Ltd, Morobe Mining JV that are conferring tangible benefits to the landowners and the nation.
What have we to showcase from the nickel mine after 12 years of operation?

Concerned Employee,
Madang via Email