Morobe small scale miners learn skills

Normal, Youth & Careers
Source:

The National, Wednesday 22nd May 2013

 SMALL-scale mining can become a very successful business if alluvial miners know proper techniques of mining and managing their income.

This was highlighted during the graduation of 16 small scale miners at the Mineral Resources Authority’s small scale mining training centre in Wau, Morobe, last Friday.

The 14 participants from the Wafi-Golpu area in Huon-Gulf district and two from Werewere village in Bulolo district were urged to become successful business entrepreneurs upon the completion of the level two course.

The centre’s manager Al Comparativo said: “This is a challenge for you because you’ve finished level two and not level one. 

“So you’ve gone from step one to step two, which means you can really do semi-mechanised mining with the use of dredges and other equipment. 

“That certificate is for you as a small scale miner that you have to put into action to become a successful business person.”

Comparativo challenged them to one day come back to the Small Scale Mining Training (SSMT) office to ask for assistance in buying a dredge or other equipment, adding that that this would be evidence of their commitment and dedication to succeed as miners and SSMT would be happy to assist.

The training was made possible through sponsorship from Morobe Mining Joint Ventures (MMJV) and would be the third batch of level two SSMT trainees graduating.

MMJV’s education supervisor for Wafi-Golpu, Philip Chanei, reiterated the importance of implementing what they had learnt.