Council considering Ok Tedi’s bid to extend lease

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
THE application by Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) for the extension of its special mining lease (SML) is before the mining advisory council, an official says.
Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) technical compliance officer Las Kuri told the Ok Tedi stakeholders meeting yesterday in Port Moresby that the council was considering the application.
The meeting was held to update the stakeholders on the existing memorandum of agreement, mine closure plan and mine area rehabilitation plan of the project.
“Ok Tedi has applied for the extension of its SML 10 with 24 ancillary tenements, two mining easements and 22 LMPs (leases for mining purposes),” Kuri said.
“It was initially granted in 1981 for 21 years up to 2002,” he said.
First extension was in 2002 up to 2022 which has expired and for 20 years, and they have applied for the renewal, which they have sought the extension from 2022 and beyond.
“So the number of years will depend on the level of resources they have and will also depend on the State deliberation.
“The status is that it has been deliberated by the Mining Advisory Council and the matter is with them.
“The council required further information from the OTML so they will send out notice to the proponent or the applicant so they can provide further information for assessments.
“As it is now, it is a matter of the mining advisory council to deal with the proponent.
“The warden hearing has been completed.”