MRA holds awareness drive on mining plan

 A TEAM from the Mineral Resources Authority was in Milne Bay recently to conduct an education awareness programme relating to the Woodlark Mining Ltd exploration project.

The team, who acquainted the landowners on the Woodlark exploration project, extensively discussed issues that would lead to the pre-development forum and eventually negotiations of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) expected to take place later.

The team led by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) included representatives from the departments of Treasury, Labour and Industrial Relations, Environment and Conservation (DEC), Petromin, Milne Bay provincial government and State Solicitors Office.

The pre-development forum would be held in-light of an application for a mining licence by Woodlark Mining, which was being evaluated by the National Government.

A pre-development forum is a meeting where all stakeholders meet to discuss and negotiate initial benefit packages, which eventually leads to the drafting of a MoA.

Meetings with various landowner groups on Woodlark was held last week.

The first meeting was held at Guasopa government station where about 100 landowners and interested people attended.

At the meeting, the team outlined details of a standard MoA format included provisions such as royalties, equity and other aspects.