State agencies offer support

 By SHIRLEY MAULUDU

THE government has assured its support towards gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd in relation to the winding down of its Lihir operation, in New Ireland, in around 2030.

Two relevant authorities – the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (PNGICSA) and Department of Labour and Industrial Relations (DLIR) – indicated their assistance. At a seminar in Port Moresby on Tuesday, the Australian miner had raised concerns on shortage of local skilled workers and delay in processing of visas.

Acting process plant manager on Lihir Island, Phil Connolly said these workers were being attracted into the petroleum sector.

In order to address this, he said Newcrest tried to bring in expatriates to train new workers however it was faced with the slow processing of visas.

DLIR work permit processing manager Dianna Killion said: “We can assist in bringing in the specialists, the technicians, but its onus on you guys now to try to assist us. We can assist with the short term so that it’s quicker and there’s no delay.

“I think it would be best if you can prepare the documentations and submit early.

“We have the shutdown period where at the end of November we are not going to accept any more applications until next January.”

Connolly said: “We will bring those people in and transfer those skills onto our younger electrical group in January and February.”

PNGICSA entries branch manager Kessie Kapus said the delay in processing of visa could be addressed.

“All you can do is send us an email, telling us that you have lodged this application and we’ll try sees that the process is fast tracked.

“We can have visa requirements but we can try to understand where the nature or where business is coming from,” she said.