Parties agree to three new benefits

 Parties to Porgera Mine project memorandum of agreement have resolved to include three new benefits in it.

They are resettlement and grant assistance, business development and grant assistance and Women In Mining grant assistance.

The state – through Porgera social and economic implementation committee – Barrick PNG Ltd and the Enga provincial government, will initiate the process of resettling landowners who are living in the mine’s special mining lease area. 

They had to be relocated to a new piece of land with housing and all basic infrastructural needs within the term of the agreement.

The government agency in charge of the exercise is the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government. 

On the issue of business development grant which was proposed by the Porgera Landowners Association, the State through the Departments of Treasury and Commerce and Industry, would seek directions from the National Executive Council through an NEC submission.

The State would seek directions as to whether the grant would be provided or not.