Review mine closure plan, say Misima landowners

LANDOWNERS of the Misima mine in Milne Bay are calling on the state to review their mine closure plan and memorandum of understanding on its closure.
EGUMA Landowner Group Inc of Misima chairman Tauleia Mosibe yesterday said the people had asked that the state honour its commitment to conduct a socio-economic feasibility study before the end of this year.
He claimed no socio-economic study had been completed after the mine closure.
“The people’s standard of living has not  improved despite the good things that the mine brought when in operation such as agriculture, transport, electricity, banking services and international standard airport,” he said.Mosibe said since 1989 the Misima Mine had earned more than K9.9 billion but had not provided any sustainable developments for the people to improve their living standards.
He said the EGUMA Landowner Group of Misima was taking the initiative to spearhead a Misima Island project that aimed to assess the island’s socio-economic, environmental and cultural issues affecting the people.