Officer condemns attack on mine

By JUNIOR UKAHA
MINERAL Resources Authority managing director Philip Samar has condemned the actions of landowners of the K92 mine in Eastern Highlands who reportedly attacked mine workers and destroyed company properties yesterday.
The Balimoia landowners, fed up with waiting for the Government and the miner to respond to their grievances, entered the mine at around 8am and attacked staff before setting fire to a number of properties including vehicles.
Samar, who was supposed to meet with the leaders of the Balimoia Interim Landowners Association, had to return to Lae because of the incident.
Samar has reported the matter to the police who were deployed to the area following orders from Northern regional commander Peter Guinness.
In a press conference yesterday, Samar said “They (landowners) have illegally stopped the mine.
“The Government will not be held to ransom. The mine is a legally operating entity. It is licensed by the Government of PNG to operate,” Samar said.
“The issues they are raising do not warrant the closure of the mine.”
Samar said what the landowners did was a criminal act and they would face the law.
“There is no leadership among the group.
“How can the Government and investor talk to the landowners when they are doing this?” Samar said.
In a petition presented to the State and the miner, the Bila landowners wanted spin-off business activities, local employment contracts and a review of the memorandum of agreement.
The K92 mine management had bought the mine off from Barrick Gold Limited two years ago.
The mine has a life span of five years with a possible extension if more gold and ore reserves are found.