Passing of Bill surprises chamber

THE Papua New Guinea Chamber of Mines and Petroleum has expressed its surprise at the passing of the Mining (Amendment) Bill 2020 and Oil and Gas (Amendment) Bill 2020 in last week’s session of Parliament.
“The chamber last engaged with the government in January, with Prime Minister (James Marape) and respective Ministers of Mining and Petroleum and a commitment was made for effective consultation,” the chamber said in a statement.
“The chamber is studying the Bills to analyse their impact on the resource sector and on PNG as an investment destination and will make its views known shortly.”
Last week, Parliament passed the Mining (Amendment) Bill 2020 which would enable the State to participate more in the development of the country’s mineral projects.
The Bill, which was tabled by Mining Minister Johnson Tuke, was to provide a legal base for the State to apply for a tenement and develop a mine.
Tuke said the current Act was not very clear on State participation.
He said the Bill, upon its enactment by Parliament, would come into effect immediately when certified by the speaker of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Marape said the Oil and Gas (Amendment) Bill 2020 would give the people of PNG control over the extent in which oil and gas was extracted and developed.