Recall mining review forum

BOTH landowners and communities in mining impacted areas are keeping their ears open to the outcome of the forum that reviewed the Mining Safety Act of 1977 last week in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands
Mining Minister Johnson Tuke was right in saying that the Act ought to be reviewed to accommodate modern technology, as well as the facilities used in mining operations of which employee’s health and safety was a great concern.
He made a special mention to review the mining agreement of Wafi Golpu and Hidden Valley mines in Morobe.
This highlight seems to undermine the expectation of the same by landowners and people affected by mining operations in other provinces.
The contrasting statement from the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, contesting this forum to review the Act, seems challenging and should be discussed in a formal forum to review the Act again before submitted to parliament.
It is of paramount importance not only for employees and workers safety but also for all mine stakeholders including the landowners and people at mining impacted areas.
They (people) are important stakeholders and thus their welfare has to be given due consideration.
The review of the Mining Safety Act would not be a fair contribution from all stakeholders.
The lack of open invitation and fair participation by both statutory and non-statutory bodies to contribute their inputs to review this Mining Safety Act prompts very serious questions in regards to its validity and effectiveness.
It also projects that the outcome of this forum is too shallow, which could be detrimental to the mining industry now and in the future.
Recall the forum and involve all respective stakeholders to review again this Act. This would be the best approach.

Luwi James,
Madang