Govt into negotiations with development partners: PM

The National National

PRIME Minister James Marape says the Government is into “advanced negotiations” with development partners on multi-billion Kina projects such as the Wafi-Golpu in Morobe, P’nyang in Western and Pasca in Gulf.
He was commenting on projects which were in operation or under negotiation, saying the Mining Act provisions, including leases and mining agreements, would continue to apply.
He also defended the Government’s decision not to renew the 20-year special mining licence to Barrick (Niugini) Ltd which operates the Porgera gold mine in Enga. “Barrick Ltd has been allowed to operate since the lease expired last August. The Government awaited the mining advisory committee’s decision, and consistent with that, Government made this announcement.” Marape said the state negotiation team would “work with Barrick Ltd during the transition period”.
“That includes benefit-sharing arrangements with the Enga government and landowners until the final structure of new mining operations is established,” he said.
Marape assured the landowners and the provincial government that their views on the destruction to the environment and non-resettlement of landowners would be considered.
“They will sit at the table as greater beneficiaries of the mine,” he said.

3 comments

  • Government igo long long olgeta. Yumi mas go back lo ples na wokim garden na lukautim pig or panim pis olsem ol tumbuna sa stap bipo. Peter O’neil em orait liklik tasol disla kisim bek PNG em luk olsem kisim bek tumbuna pasin blo laip!

  • the government is doing the right thing, lets not be blind, our petroleum laws were setup for large companies to benefit, the current government is making changes to benefit PNG, if you want to mine our land we negotiate you don’t just come and get all you want, open your eyes PNG stop shitting yourselves, have you benefited from past projects? Marape is setting a new trend so that PNG benefits and not individuals, this has made path for corruption to take place, past parliamentarians benefiting and not the country as a whole, its time we take PNG back!, go Marape! full support stap

  • I think the current government is doing the right thing here , there are other big developers out there who can comply with our terms and conditions.
    Barrick is not the only company so please,NOKEN TINGIM RICE NA TIN PIS BLO NAU TASOL , Think about the nations future.

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