Govt stands by Solwara 1

THE Government remains supportive of the Solwara 1 project in New Ireland, as long as all necessary requirements for the project are met by the operator Nautilus Minerals, says Mining Minister Johnson Tuke.
Tuke made the statement on Monday during a presentation by the company to the Government, Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa).
“It is the Government’s intention that if all has gone through the standard system of approval within the mining industry, (as far as) Cepa and MRA are concerned, I have no objection that we will support,” he said.
“After all, this is the Government’s intention.
“Papua New Guinea is a sovereign nation and as such, we go by our own policies and acts, and manage our own affairs as far as this ministry is concerned.” MRA managing director Philip Samar said while Nautilus was working on delivering the project, Government agencies were also making sure necessary requirements were being met for the project to proceed.
“Between the different regulators, MRA, Cepa, NMSA (National Maritime Safety Authority), NFA (National Fisheries Authority), Transport, the Government still has work to do,” he said. “It’s not just satisfying the requirements of Mining Act. Let’s do the mining.
“It’s not difficult. It just needs to recognise that one legislation does not overlap the other.
“Within this year, I am very confident that all of that will be done. Within Government, we’ll try to complement each other to see the delivery of the ship (vessel to be used for the project).”