No mine deal signing at Apec: PM

THERE is no signing of “heads of agreement” on the development of the Wafi Golpu gold mine project in Morobe during the Apec Leaders’ Summit as speculated, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says.
Responding to Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu’s query about proposed signing of “heads of agreement” for the development of the mine, the prime minister said that remained a speculation.
Soanu also wanted the prime minister to explain to him and the people of Morobe what it meant by “heads of agreement”.
O’Neill said he was not aware of any mine development agreement to be signed at Apec.
“If there is going to be, then all stakeholders, the landowners and the provincial government will be consulted as well,” he said.
He said the project was an important one for everyone, including Morobe, the landowners, the state and the people of PNG, and equally vital to the developer that everything would be done properly. He said the Government would make sure the landowners and the provincial government were included in every dialogue.
He said so far the Government acknowledged the support given by the provincial government and the landowners in the making the mine a reality.
He said the positive step now in relations to the mine development was the establishment of the state team consisting of officers from Mining and State Solicitor to negotiate or deal with the developers, Newcrest Mining Ltd and
Harmon.
However, he said the negotiation team was only in its early stages.
Meanwhile, the only negotiation is the assurance from the Government with the developer to secure finance for the development of the mine.