Protect small mines: MP

THERE is a need for the country’s alluvial mining sector to have legislations to protect the people in impacted areas, says Mining Minister Sir Ano Pala.
Sir Ano said there should be specific laws to protect landowners when there was an exploration licence for a specific area by companies.
He told Parliament, in response to a question from Bulolo MP Sam Basil Jnr on whether the Mining Act (1992) had been amended to cater for alluvial or small scale mining, that under the current laws, “only landowners can operate in alluvial mining” areas.
“However, there are times when exploration licenses were issued on land (where there were) alluvial operations,” he said.
“I agree that there needs to be some adjustments made because only nationals can do alluvial mining.
“Unfortunately, somebody can get an exploration licence over the area you have the legal right to operate alluvial mining on.
“And that is the area we are trying to sort out.
“We are in the process of introducing an amendment to the act to address the unclear areas in alluvial mining and exploration activities.” According to the Mineral Resources Authority, an alluvial mining lease is held by citizens for mining alluvial minerals.
The citizen must be the owner of the land on which the lease falls.
The area can be up to five hectares maximum and the term of the lease up to five years.