Two ‘miners’ dead, others hurt
TWO people died of head injuries and several others suffered serious injuries after falling in the open pit area of the Porgera gold mine on Sunday, according to operator Barrick Niugini Ltd.
According to a statement from the mine, its management reported that several large groups of unauthorised people, believed to be illegal miners, gained access to the mine’s open pit and a number of them were injured after falling from extremely steep inclines while climbing through the area. Two died.
In a separate incident the same night, the mine’s asset protection officer was shot and seriously wounded.
All the incidents underscored the danger to life created by intrusions and flagrant disregard for private property and law and order, the statement said.
Executive managing director Tony Esplin confirmed that two of the intruders suffered fatal head injuries, and several others had sustained serious injuries requiring urgent medical treatment, which the mine was providing.
“There were at least two separate incidents during the evening where large groups of intruders moved through extremely steep parts of the open pit that were prone to instability,” Esplin said. “Initial reports indicated that several intruders lost their footing in these areas, with tragic consequences.
“These incidents highlight the enormous risks that intruders and unauthorised persons face when they seek illegal entry to the operational areas of the mine,” he said.
“The Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) has repeatedly warned these intruders, many of whom from areas outside Porgera such as Kandep, Laigam and Tari, of the hazards of conducting illegal mining in the operational areas of the mine, but sadly our warnings are not heeded,” he said.
The mine management has noted that local reports alleging that the injured were shot or injured by police or mine security were not true, and that all of the injured had fallen from height.
One thought on “Two ‘miners’ dead, others hurt”
These people who were dead are not genuine SML landowners or even LMP too. These are intruders from out of Porgera District who used to threaten PJV employees and damaged and destroyed billion of worth properties for Barrick. When you compare to original Porgerans or genuine SML landowners of the mine, they never steal or act themselves as illegal miners, disturbing mine for operations. Community leaders and CSR officers usually campaign around in the community not to disturb the mine or steal the properties but reluctantly refused the warnings by intruders from out of Porgera. As predicted, no original Porgerans or genuine SML landowners will die in the mountains or even in the Open Pit of the mine. Thank you to nature that allows more outsiders to die like a rat in that hard stones of Porgera Golden Valley. Congratulations to original Porgerans and original SML Landowners.
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