Woodlark mine delay queried

Woodlark mine in Samarai-Murua is a major catalyst for development but the delay in developing it is creating anxiety and undesired expectations, says Samarai-Murua MP Isi Henry Leonard.
Leonard said in Parliament yesterday that the Woodlark Mine was “a very important project for his district” and the people of Woodlark Island.
“We are very thankful to the Government under the leadership of the prime minister and then-Lands Minister Benny Allan for giving the land back to the people of Woodlark Island which was acquired by the State through the Specials Agriculture Business Leases,” he said.
“This will now enable the landowners to enter into any benefit-sharing agreement better with the developer but we are very concerned over the delay in developing this mine since 2013.”
He said the people of Woodlark and Samarai-Murua would like the Government, through the mining minister, to clarify why there is a delay and what progress has been made towards developing the mine.
“We want the Government and the mining minister to tell us as this project has created a lot of anxiety and undesired expectations among our people.”