Govt prerogative to deal with regulation: MRA

MINERAL Resources Authority (MRA) managing director Jerry Garry says it is the Government’s prerogative on how it deals with the Public Money Management Regularisation Act (2017).
He was responding to a Supreme Court decision to declare the Act unconstitutional last week.
Garry said however, he trusted that the Government would do its due diligence and exercise greater care in how it treated this issue going forward.
“The implementation of the Act meant that the MRA was unable to roll out its programmes and projects effectively, especially safety inspections, management of landowner issues and scientific research for new ore deposits,” he said.
“When landowner issues arise, MRA’s officers are normally required promptly on the ground to mitigate these issues before they escalate.
“However, without financial autonomy, issues have escalated, sometimes leading to closure of mining projects (such as the Kainantu gold mine), making it even more challenging for Government officers to handle,” he said
Garry said the mining sector was one of the main revenue earners for the country generating about 50-60 per cent of export earnings.
“The MRA has to effectively service the industry in order for the industry to generate the much needed cash for the country.
“The efficiency with which we operate has implications on the level of production outputs and revenue generation from the mines.
“But as I have said, it is really up to the Government.
“The MRA will continue to perform its mandates to the best of its ability to service the Government, the mining industry and our people regardless of the challenges imposed by any Acts or regulations,” he said.