New Ireland govt stops extension over moratorium

 A WARDEN hearing for the extension of Bismark Mining Corporation’s exploration licence in New Ireland will clash with an existing moratorium that is in place in the province.

The seabed mining company had lodged an application to the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) to extend its Exploration Licence No.1887 that will be deliberated during a mining warden hearing next week Thursday.

However, the New Ireland administrator Moses Makis told MRA that there was a moratorium in place that the National Government has yet to honour.

The moratorium regarding new prospecting licences in New Ireland came into effect after the provincial executive council received an update on the Lihir memorandum of agreement dispute and 

other issues relating to mining in the province.

Makis told MRA that the provincial government, its administration and the Nimamar local level government have objected the application for extension by Bismark Mining Corporation Ltd of its exploration licence.