Stakeholders discuss mine agreement

 Hidden Valley mine stakeholders discussed the mine’s memorandum of agreement in Lae last Tuesday and Friday.

The stakeholders included operator Morobe Mining Joint Ventures, landowners from Nauti, Kwembu, and Winima (Nakuwi) villages, Morobe provincial government and the state represented by the Mineral Resources Authority.

The mine is situated in Hidden Valley, Wau, Bulolo district of Morobe province.

A follow-up meeting will be held next Monday.

MMJV’s general manager (sustainability and external relations) David Wissink, told The National that one of the major achievements of the meeting was the redistribution of royalties 56:44 with landowners receiving the majority ahead of the provincial government.

He said since the mine started operations eight years ago, up to K450 million worth of projects had been given out, and landowners wanted to be the main beneficiaries.

“Provincial government agreed to give part of their royalties back to the landowners to distribute among themselves. 

“There could be a pot of money to work on key development projects in the region. We’re happy with the way the project is made,” Wissink said.

NKW executive Wayang Kawa told The National that the relationship of landowners and other stakeholder was vital.