MRA not for Panguna: Akoitai

 FORMER Minister for Mining Sam Akoitai  (pictured) has denied claims that Mineral Resources Authority was established to re-open Panguna Mine in Bougainville.

Akoitai, the Mining Minister from 2002 to 2007, was responding to claims in the media about his role in the MRA, saying it was established by an Act of Parliament to regulate mines in the country.

“My role as the Minister for Mining at that time was to help set up MRA through an Act of Parliament to regulate the mining industry in PNG. 

“I became a minister after the Government under the leadership of Sir Mekere Motauta saw the problems in the mining industry.”

Akoitai said the Autonomous Bougainville Government now had its own Mining Act and would not adopt the PNG mining laws to reopen the giant copper mine. He said the Bougainville Mining Act was developed through the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

“ABG in its wisdom had come up with the Mining Act which addressed the interest of the people of Bougainville. 

“The formulation of the mining act was by ABG, its members and the officials.”

Akoitai said the Department of Mining only had K5 million in its budget every year and there were so many issues to be addressed in the industry.