MRA dismisses group’s claims

THE Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) dismissed claims by Kimka Sepiyan sub-tribe incorporated land group (KSST-ILG) as the principal landowners of the Ok Tedi Mine who insist that they should be involved in the review of the Ok Tedi Mine agreement.
MRA acting managing director Philip Samar said this when responding to media reports last week from KSST-ILG spokesperson Kambomyap Alloim.
Samar said parties in the agreement would be parties identified through proper social mapping and social mapping 30 years ago has identified Wopkaimin clan of Bultem village, Finalbin, Atemkit and Kavorabip villagers as legitimate landowners.
He said these four villages then recognised Wangbin and Migalism as part of the special mining licence area which makes it six villages.
He said the six villages were parties to the agreement.
He also said landowners should not think that so long as they go to Lands department and register their ILGs they would be recognised.