Tuke clarifies disruption to mine work in Morobe

MINING Minister Johnson Tuke has clarified that a group of people who disrupted work at the Wafi-Golpu exploration site on Friday is not part of the affected landowners.
The group had forced the suspension of work at the project site, demanding that the State and the project developers meet a list of things they wanted.
Tuke on Sunday said the faction was not part of the affected landowner groups. He condemned their action saying such demonstration which resulted in Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture suspending activities was uncalled for.
He said discussions were still being conducted and social mapping would later take place.
“Don’t take it out on the company (WGJV),” Tuke said.
“Nothing is final. The project agreement hasn’t been signed.”
He said the company was dealing with the State and not the provincial government.
“For people to stop the project is a criminal act,” Tuke said.
The petition included a 30 per cent royalty, 15 per cent equity share, processing of gold in Papua New Guinea, K200 million compensation for construction work on customary land, K40 million compensation for using customary land for the last 40 years, relocation plans for landowners to be completed before the construction work on the mine, first preference to be given to landowners on employment, mine town to be constructed by landowners and leased to developers, and the mine to be open-cut and not underground.