Clans appointing agents

Business

By GYNNIE KERO
MINERAL Resources Authority (MRA) managing director Jerry Garry says the appointment of all clan agents should be completed by the end of the month.
Garry was in Porgera, Enga, on Friday to close the validation of 25 clans from the Special Mining Lease (SML) areas.
He noted that this week would be about the appointment of interim agents who would then nominate executives for the landowner association for the Porgera gold mine.
He anticipated a development forum right after the formation of the association.
“Next week (this week), we will commence clan agent appointments for mine waste tailings and waste dumps and riverine and power pylon areas which starts from Hides (Hela) to Porgera mine,” he said.
“We will rely on the compensation list paid by Barrick Niugini Ltd in the previous agreement.
Garry also highlighted that a team from the PNG Civil and Identity Registry would be in Enga to register and issue identification cards for landowners (NID).
He said the issuance of NID cards would help prevent an influx of people from other centres into the Porgera valley.
“Landowners having NID cards will also help cut down on law and order issues in Porgera,” he added.
Mining Minister Johnson Tuke earlier this month indicated the Government’s intention of reopening the Porgera gold mine next month.
Prime Minister James Marape said earlier police and military would continue to be present in the area as government looked at reopening the mine by Sept 16.
Barrick Niugini Ltd president and chief executive officer Mark Bristow had reportedly said the sooner the mine reopened the lower the cost.
The miner has already begun work on restarting the gold mine in Enga following its closure last April.
Care and maintenance so far during the mine’s closure has cost the miner K421 million.
It estimated another K1.05 billion would need to be spent to reopen the mine next month.