Barrick (Niugini) Limited (BNL)

BNL to 'temporarily suspend' mining operations

“In the absence of further detail regarding the proposed transitional arrangements, the company intends to temporarily suspend mining and mineral processing operations at the Porgera Mine, in order to ensure the safety and security of employees and communities,” it said in a statement.

“Critical safety, security and environmental personnel at the mine will remain operational during this period, and mine management are hopeful that full mining operations can resume in the future.”

BNL challenges non-extension of Special Mining Lease

The Government’s decision was tantamount to nationalisation without due process and in violation of the Government’s legal obligations to BNL,” said the operator in a statement.

BNL said it remained willing to discuss the issue with Prime Minister James Marape and his Government in the hope of averting what it described as a catastrophic situation for the communities at Porgera and in Enga, and for the country as a whole.

Mine operator applauds Govt pledge on law, order

The company noted that, following a two-day visit to the region to meet the community and assess the situation first-hand, Police Minister Bryan Kramer had pledged to sponsor government measures to strengthen police presence in the area, reduce inter-clan fighting, address the proliferation of firearms, arrest and prosecute criminals and enforce an alcohol ban, among other things.   

The minister said if necessary special powers could be invoked to achieve the desired results.

Armed men threaten Porgera employees

The company confirms that an armed group of intruders attempted to hold up two mineworkers driving a mine vehicle near the Porgera Open Pit on Sunday afternoon.

The mineworkers were travelling between operating sites on the Porgera Mine to move mining equipment during mid-afternoon on Sunday 3 June when they were confronted by a number of intruders, one of whom threatened the employees with a firearm.

​Agriculture for the younger population

Barrick (Niugini) Limited (BNL), in its efforts to continue promoting food security within the mine communities, has introduced Agrikids, which is coordinated by its community development section.

Agrikids is a component of BNL’s Food Security Program initiated in 2010, which aims to prepare local communities to sustain their livelihood after mine closure, through agriculture.

On 29 August, the community development section conducted training on compost with students of the Aumbi Elementary School, a pilot school for the Agrikids program.