Donald worried over illegal mining

SHADOW Mining Minister James Donald has urged the Government and stakeholders to recognise the illegal mining situation in Enga’s Porgera as not only a security issue but a humanitarian one too.
He made the remarks after the Government declared a military call-out to help police with security operations in Porgera for the next six months, to combat illegal miners in the special mining lease (SML) area.
“While I agree with the need to ensure greater protection of a key national asset like Porgera, we must also recognise why so many locals are risking their lives to take part in illegal mining,” Donald said.
“The Government repeatedly told us that new Porgera was a good deal for the people, especially landowners.
“But yet we see the very landowners and locals who should be benefitting from this mine trespass and look for their own riches.”
Donald said landowner leaders may be happy with the new terms, but the people who they represent do not realise the benefits and would rather partake in illegal mine.
“We must ask ourselves why thousands of men, women and children would risk their lives searching for gold, and risking confrontation with armed security personnel, police and natural hazards instead of other means of earning an income.”
Donald said there was a lack of opportunities to make a living in the area.
Searching for gold is a broader representation of people searching for their livelihood, he said.
“The six-month call-out will cost millions of kina to fund logistics for the security personnel deployed to through plane tickets, hire cars, accommodation and allowances,” Donald said.
“This is the wider issue I am emphasising. Government is prepared to draw millions of Kina to send soldiers to protect the mine, which may possibly lead to an increase in tensions with the locals.
“When it comes to allocating millions of kina to build schools, health centres and basic services, it becomes very difficult.”