Minister issues warning to companies after attack

Business

Mining Minister Johnson Tuke has urged all exploration and mining firms to conduct due diligence when it comes to affected landowners in project sites.
Tuke issued the warning following an incident at the Kainantu gold mine, Eastern Highlands, where one person was reported killed, 70 houses destroyed and 50 people injured following a conflict last week.
He told The National yesterday: “This is exactly what happens when certain exploration companies do not conduct due diligence when it comes to considering landowners.
“I am telling all companies to behave diligently, to accommodate landowners, communities.
“Companies should be the ones to conduct social mapping.
“This issue (Kainantu gold mine) was provoked by the K92 (K92 Mining Inc).
“There was one death, 60 to 70 houses burnt because of the involvement of the company to engage one faction of the landowners.
“The other faction put up an argument and eventually they ended up fighting.
“A similar case was earlier reported in Southern Highlands when an exploration company failed to address that.
“Now it has happened again in Kainantu.
“It’s not a good thing to see landowners fighting against each other.” K92 Mining Inc is focused on advancing the Kainantu gold mine.
The Kainantu property covers a total area of approximately 410sqkm and was previously mined by Highlands Pacific and Barrick Gold from 2006-2009.
After being commissioned in 2006, the processing facilities operated for a cumulative total of approximately 7000 hours (292 days) before being put on care and maintenance by Barrick Gold.
Barrick continued this care and maintenance of the mill until the sale of the project to K92.

One thought on “Minister issues warning to companies after attack

  • Wafi Golpu Mine in Morobe Province will be similar if the Developers and State focus on Yanta, Hangambu, Buaf and not considering the four villages (Timini, Gurako, Bupu, Paraklis/Yanta One) along the Wau-Bulolo Highway who share the same clans and speak the same mother tongue. With the current protest and continues ignorance of the government and the developers will cause blood shed in those communities.

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