Stakeholders support plan to extend mine life

THE St Barbara Simberi mine operations has received support from stakeholders in its plan to extend the mine life. A recent meeting was attended by executives of the Big Tabar Landowner Association and local level government ward 5 member Timothy Puru. The 12 community stakeholder groups include the Simberi Mining Area Association, Tatau Landowner Association and Big Tabar Landowner Association. They wanted to see the mine continue operating and creating benefits. These benefits included business development, enterprise creation and employment opportunities for local people. “The broad community benefits and employee opportunities remain topical and important conversations throughout the consultation process,” said Walter Pondrelei, St Barbara Simberi operations community relations manager. St Barbara expects the next phase of the consultation process to begin this month with the government’s public consultation forum. The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority and Mineral Resources Authority distributed copies of the social environment impact study report to New Ireland’s community and government leaders in preparation for the forum. It will be held at the Tabar Island group, Namatanai. Acting general manager Wayne Patterson said St Barbara was committed to a consultation process with key stakeholders and government(s). “Our belief is that we can all be genuine partners in generating sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and biodiversity, employment and training benefits from a longer mine life for Simberi operations,” he said. “It is a legacy we will be proud to leave behind for our community and the people of PNG.” The mine’s sulphide project is an extension of operations on mining lease 136 using existing infrastructure together with a new flotation plant to process sulphide ore.