Road re-opens, mine resumes

 THE Porgera gold mine has resumed normal operations after repairs to the section of the Lagaip-Porgera highway damaged by a landslide last month was completed, says mine operator Barrick (Niugini) Limited

Enga provincial works manager Laim Moses re-opened the road at Lukulama. 

The landslide on March 18 buried 40 homes and cut off access to the mine and some villages. 

The mine was forced to cut back on its operations.

BNL executive managing director Greg Walker thanked government agencies, employees and contractors who had worked hard to fix the damaged section of the road. 

“This road is the life blood to everyone in the community,” Walker said. 

“We all go along this road, businesses, contractors, and school children as well. 

“To the community, we put our differences aside and everyone got together and made it work. 

“That’s the greatest thing. Everybody knew this was important to everybody.” 

Walker said he sympathised with those who lost properties during the landslide. 

“Getting this road back was the most important thing we had to do in the last two weeks, “ he said. 

“The best thing I saw was the community working together and making sure this road got through.”

Provincial works civil engineer Noel Martin had been on the ground reporting back to Wabag on progress of the civil works. Walker also thanked the support of the call-out security forces, provincial police command, Paiam police, local MP, district and provincial administration officials, and members of the community for their patience and support.