Regulatory process to continue

By DALE LUMA
THE 2022 general election will not stop the regulatory process for the reopening of the multi-billion kina Porgera gold mine in Enga, Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) managing director Jerry Garry says.
Garry told The National that the only event that might be impacted was the development forum which would be dictated by security issues as a result of the recent tribal fight in the Porgera valley.
He also said the other critical time when any field related work would be suspended were during polling.
“Regulatory processes will still continue and we are still waiting on the shareholders agreement to be signed, nothing stops during the election period,” Garry said.
“All other regulatory functions will continue as usual.
“The only holdup will be the development forum.
“If we see that the trouble and issues in Porgera valley continue preventing us from holding a development forum, then we will not,” he said.
“But again, during the election period, the only time that we will take into consideration is really the voting period.
“During the campaign period, if we see the opportunity and situation allows, we will continue to do the development forum or other regulatory activities we see fit,” Garry said.
“But it will be dictated by security and other factors on the ground. So the election generally doesn’t mean we stop business.
“Mining is a 24-hour activity and we need to continue to provide that regulatory oversight to the industry.”