Govt told to relook deal over Porgera

FORMER head of the State negotiating team Isaac Lupari wants the Government to relook the Porgera mine reopening negotiations – the legacy issues, tax liability and special mining lease (SML) licencing.
Lupari said, in a statement, yesterday that the Government must release more information regarding the proposed new agreement to restart mining operations.
“I do not seek to question the decisions that the Government has made,” he said.
“But I am compelled, as a citizen, to place on record my continued concerns regarding the status of negotiations and Barrick’s stance with respect to three significant matters: legacy issues, tax liability and SML licensing.”
Lupari has written about it to Prime Minister James Marape and is awaiting a response.
He has worked with Barrick before and says he is familiar with company issues.
Lupari said the outstanding tax liability should not be up for negotiation as part of any new agreement.
He said under no circumstances should the State concede to the demands of Barrick to void the lawful decision made to terminate SML1, and to grant SML 11 to Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited.
Attempts to get comments from Marape yesterday were unsuccessful.