Get landowner registration in order

THE Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) has been taken to task on many issues regarding mining in the country.
The Ramu Nickel & Cobalt mine in Madang has been full of controversies to date.
While Madang governor Peter Yama is determined to push and establish the scientific facts on the damages of the sea, marine and coastal lifestyle of Madang coastal people, the mine site landowners from Kurumbukari in Bundi sub district are still running around in herds with no real guidance from appropriate authorities and ongoing litigations have been the order of the day.
It is now learned that the office of Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) has the jurisdiction to manage the LOA according to Mining Minister Johnson Tuke in the media.
Further, it is learned that the Kurumbukari LOA has never been registered with the IPA.
As concerned land groups based on LTC decision in 2013 are awaiting a duly registered LOA for Kurumbukari mine site.
The IPA in cooperation with Mineral Resource Authority are asked to effectively participate in the registration of the LOA into the review of the memorandum of agreement that Yama has been calling for since he took office in 2017.

Joe Koroma