Miner files case to stay decision

BARRICK Niugini Ltd (BNL) has filed an application in the Supreme Court to stay a National Court ruling regarding the non-renewal of its special mining licence on the Porgera mine.
BNL had challenged the Government decision not to renew its 30-year special mining lease which expired in August last year.
But Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi recently dismissed the BNL challenge.
Justice Collin Makail in a Supreme Court sitting adjourned the hearing of the BNL application to Thursday after Solicitor-General Tauvasa Tanuvasa informed the court that it was served late on them.
The adjournment will allow time for the State to file its response.
The Government has issued a special mining licence to Kumul Mineral Holdings Ltd and invited BNL to renegotiate terms to continue operating the mine.
Meanwhile, Mineral Resource Enga (MRE) has filed an application to withdraw Justice Derek Hartshorn from presiding over matters related to the BNL because of his alleged link to Barrick Goldfields PNG Holdings Ltd.
Goldfields PNG Holdings Ltd joined with Barrick and formed Barrick Goldfields PNG Ltd.
It is now known formerly as Barrick Niugini Ltd.
MRE is concerned that it could be a conflict of interest for the judge to deal with matters concerning BNL.
The hearing of the withdrawal application will be on Sept 25.