Learn from ExxonMobil mistakes, Barrick

THE catastrophe of landslide claiming more than 25 lives at Tumbi should be a lesson for another deve­loper, Barrick at Porgera in Enga.
ExxonMobil must be held responsible for the lives lost, properties and land damaged.
Having a bird’s eye-view of its operations should be the highest priority.
Its arguments will not undo the wrong because it was merely ignorance.
This should be an eye-opener for Barrick, which should not procrastinate any longer plans to relocate villages namely Yarik, Apa­laka, Alipis, Pandadaka, Pake Camp, Mugulepa and others within the vici­nity.       
Its underground  extraction of millions of tons  of mineral outweighs open-cast mines and these villages are vulnerable to land that is sinking  everyday.
These warnings challenge the concerned land­owners, councillors and churches to stand up and take bold steps through their appropriate esta­blished authorities or channels, failing which, their negligence will also be partially responsible in the event of a likely disaster.
Barrick must not turn a blind eye, as the government and its people do not expect any repeat of the Tari incident.
The relocation exercise will not only help in preventing future disaster, but will also help reduce (or end) illegal mining activity.

K Ben
Laiagam