MRA begins awareness on mine activities along pipeline routes

The National Business

By PISAI GUMAR
MINERAL Resource Authority (MRA) says awareness has been undertaken along the pipeline routes of Wafi-Golpu mine down to Lae terminal, especially to identify safety hazards.
It said control of any easement was the responsibility of the developer.
MRA was responding to concerns by six Zifasing landowner clans that urged MRA and developer Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture to conduct awareness on how physical structures like pipelines, roads and bridges will be built upon the surface of their land from the project site to Lae.
The clans include Owangrompon, Orogazog, Orogwangin,
Tsuwaif, Jeaganchon and Mosswarang.
Zifasing land mobilisation committee chairman, Nathan Ngaroko Akwila, said much activity and construction would take place on their land. This included the Northern Access Road and two bridges over Watut and Markham rivers.
“As customary landowners, we must be to how much portion of our land surface will be acquired and the benefits from pipeline based on mining life,” Akwila said.
According to the Mineral Resource Authority, project-related infrastructure was the responsibility of the developer.
It was set out in detail in the proposals for development (supported by a comprehensive feasibility study) lodged as part of the project application required under the Mining Act.
“If that infrastructure is to later become publicly accessible, the responsibility may shift to the State,” MRA said.
It said easement agreements must be signed between Government, developer and landowners before such infrastructure was built.
“Any infrastructure required to be protected by an easement to ensure safety, access, maintenance and management control for purposes of the project must be the subject of a Mining Easement application, assessed and granted prior to any development taking place” MRA said.
Wafi-Golpu JV general-manager sustainability and external relations David Wissink said awareness and discussions were ongoing in the area with respect to work which may take place.