Porgera mining project plans just one deal

THE Porgera mining project will have only one memorandum of agreement (MoA) document as a result of the recent MoA review in Kokopo last week.
In the past, there were four different MoA documents between the parties concerned, which comprised a tripartite MoA between the state, landowners and Enga provincial government and the fly-in fly-out (Fifo) agreement between the state, Porgera Joint Venture, Enga provincial government and landowners.
In the revised MoA, the parties will be the state, Porgera landowners, Enga provincial government and the operator Barrick (PNG) Ltd.
These parties incorporated the three MoAs and the Fifo agreement between each other into one single document.
 This MoA review was the last one where the state consulted with the parties based on four different MOA documents.
Mineral Resources Authority’s representative in the state team  John Ipidari  said although the MoA had not been successfully reviewed since 1989 until last week, the idea which the state team had was to review the four MoAs separately.
This however would have been a problem as it would have been difficult to get collective views of all parties on issues and agree immediately.
“For instance, last week, the Paiam Hospital issue was discussed in the state and the Enga provincial government MOA review meeting,” he said.
“The same was discussed in the MoA review between the state and landowners and also between the Enga provincial government and landowners.”
He said the incorporation of all MoA documents into one, would allow for all parties to come together at once and comment on issues collectively.
The state team comprised relevant agencies including MRA, Prime Ministers Department, State Solicitors Office, Labour and Employment, Commerce and Industry, Provincial Affairs and Local Level Government, Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management, National Planning and Monitoring, Lands and Physical Planning, National Airport Corporation, National Department of Health and Department of Police.
The outcome of the meeting was very successful and supported by all parties.
The next meeting will be at the end of this month where all parties would meet again and finalise the draft of the revised MOA before the actual signing.