Miner shows in Telefomin alluvial

 THE landowners of Frieda River, of the gold and copper mine in Telefomin, West Sepik, support the mine’s operation.

The locals said that after news of operation of the mine by PANAUST, an international mining company that decided to operate an alluvial mine at a cost of AUS$2 billion (K1.33b), was revealed by local MP Solan Mirisim.

PANAUST has a world class mine in Loas where more than 20 Papua New Guineans are working.

The people told Mirisim that they were in full support of the mine after waiting for many years as many of the companies decided to do exploration after exploration.

While welcoming the good news of the alluvial mine, landowner chairman Fexian Fotisep said they would not allow any more exploration as done by past companies.

He said the people supported alluvial mining and full scale mine and they were proud that PANAUST was prepared to operate an alluvial gold mine.

Mirisim said the Prime Minister was behind the operation of the mine and government would support it and see it to operate as a full scale mine.

Mirisim said he would fully involve himself as one of the landowners, in getting the mine started, for the benefit of the people.

He had discussions with landowners on how they would organise their landowner groups and association to participate in the mine and other issues relating to the mine.

He said his joint district budget and planning priorities committee would support the local landowner association with funding in next year’s budget so the people participate in spin of business benefits in the mine.

He urged the people to take ownership of the mine and support PANAUST to operate for benefit of the people as the mine is expected to be one of biggest in the country, far bigger than the Ok Tedi mine.

A fact finding trip is expected for the landowners to Loas to visit and see PANUST’s operation there.

The landowners will see environmental issues and other issues and benefits of the company’s operations there.