Landowners agree to explore minerals on their land

THE people of Mafanajo along the Watut River, in Morobe, have agreed for mineral exploration to be carried out on their land.
This was made known during a warden hearing last Thursday at their village by officers from the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA).
Landowners gathered during the warden hearing and agreed for exploration to be carried out in the area for development.
The lack of basic health, education and policing services as well as infrastructure such as roads and bridges were the main reasons for them agreeing to the exploration and development opportunities.
“We want exploration to continue and if possible, the mining will help bring needed services where the Government failed to bring,” the leaders said.
“There has been a lack of proper services here for years.
“If it is confirmed that there’s mineral here, we would allow the mining to go ahead and that will help us with services.”
Ziats Primary School head teacher Gibani Simbisi said education was a need in the area as most children missed out because schools in the area were unable to deliver quality education.
She said mining activities would improve the people’s livelihoods.
“There’s no proper education facilities at Ziats,” Simbisi said.
“We want exploration to be done as it will really help the people’s livelihood here. In this community, we are yet to understand things.
“Such economic activities in the area will help to improve the way people think.”
A contract geologist, Peter Kumiye, who attended the warden hearing, said they had applied for an exploration licence and the MRA team was at the village to get the people’s views.
He said there would be benefits of the mining activity in the area to help local people.