More schools planned for alluvial mining

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
THE need for more small-scale mining training centres was identified during a recent alluvial mining convention and tradeshow in Lae.
Alluvial mining schools are to be established in three other regions of PNG besides Morobe to cater for small-scale miners and developers in the industry who were not aware of most requirements.
There is currently only one training centre established by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and it is located in Wau, Morobe.
Mining Minister Johnson Tuke highlighted the need but also said that there were many challenges.
“The budget has already closed but we still need to make sure this happens through a submission. This will happen only if there is support of politicians and governments of alluvial mining areas,” he said.
“The funds can go to MRA and MRA can manage it for the sake of our alluvial miners around the country.
“Our locals must be encouraged to take part in the alluvial mining sector. Some of us our land is good for agriculture, others not. We need to establish one training centre possibly at Kainantu, one in Alotau and another in Kavieng or Namatanai.
“We need to provide incentives for our local miners. Most of our local communities are engaged in this activity and we must be mindful of our environment too.”
Bulolo MP and Minister for Communication Information, Technology and Energy Sam Basil is supporting the idea.
“For alluvial mining and training programmes, similar set ups like the training centre in Wau must be established in regional centres to accommodate the demands for the respective alluvial mining regions,” Basil said.
Some of the challenges faced by the training centre is to reach the large number of small-scale alluvial miners that are yet to receive training, helping miners understand the use of mercury, how to apply occupational health and safety and to help miners overcome social issues such as child labour, drugs, HIV/AIDS and gender issues