Chimbu shifts to limestone mining

THE resource scarce stony province known as Chimbu is set to mine its limestone for a major economic turn around for the people.
The initiative came to light with a public launch of Chimbu limestone project in Kundiawa town last Wednesday.
“We have more limestone in Chimbu that we want to convert into economic benefit for the people by mining them to sell as an impact project for the entire province.
“I call on every landowners to support the project and take ownership of the initiative from the beginning to avoid them feel being sidelined,” Chimbu Governor Fr John Garia said at the launch in front of Kondom Augando provincial government building in Kundiawa.
He said they were engaging private consultants to conduct feasibility studies into the limestone riddled ridges from Chuave (Elimbari ridge) to Sinasina-Yongumugl, to Kundiawa-Gembogl and Kerowagi districts.
“We want to change the province from being economically disadvantage to an economically viable province like other provinces with resources, so I call on every one to support the project.
“Mining and other resource project sites will need our limestone products to extract minerals so we are in for a good deal,” Garia said.
He thanked Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine for committing K100,000 and Chuave MP Jim Nomane for making available K70,000 for feasibility studies.
Garia also made available K200,000 from his provincial budget for the cause and the national government also made available K70,000 through the Department of Commerce and Industry.