Minister condemns break-in

THE K92 mining Inc office in Eastern Higlands was broken into on Monday night, according to Mining Minister Johnson Tuke.
K92 mining is the operator of Kainatu gold mine.
Tuke expressed his disappointment at the incident saying this could be the work of opportunists.
He made the statement yesterday after briefing the media on the fight between tribes in the district last Thursday which resulted in the death of 19 people.
“It may not be the two parties that were involved in the fight,” he said.
“It could be the opportunists.
“I condemn these opportunists who took advantage to break into and damage the K92 mining office in Kainantu.
“It is disappointing when K92 is performing very well and have paid their corporate tax to the State unlike some other big companies.
The incident happened last Monday.
“The vagrants and settlers may be influencing this,” he said.
Kainantu gold mine is a high-grade, low cost underground mine.
This year, K92 Mining paid K25 million in corporate tax to the Government despite being a relatively small mine compared to other mines in PNG.
The company recently announced the payment of the tax for 2019/2020 following its commercial production.