Porgera

The landowners are claiming that breaches in the MOA have caused negative impacts on the social, environmental and economic lives of the Porgera landowners. 

Chairman of the Resource Owners Federation of PNG, Jonathan Paraia, said the 1988 proposals sought State approval and issuance of a Special Mining Lease (SML) for the mine to construct mining infrastructure that was capable of processing eight thousand tons of crushed ore through its mill over a mine life of twenty years.

Emanating closer to Porgera, Enga Province, the quake was picked up by the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory’s Manam station in Madang Province.

An official from the RVO told Loop PNG that aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur after a previous main earthquake.

“The tectonic plate is just settling back into its position,” explained the RVO.

“Our Manam station picked it up because it was of a larger magnitude.

“Based on experience, aftershocks will continue for at least 5 days.”

The concept was launched as part of the Mine Safety Week’s sub theme of Women in Mining

The WiM committee provides a channel for female workers to effectively communicate amongst themselves and to mine management, issues that may affect them. 

The launching was one of various site activities to commemorate the week.

Barrick Niugini Limited’s Acting Executive Managing Director, Benjamin Burger, encouraged mine employees to become courageous safety leaders in the workplace.

This follows the signing of a subsidiary Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) by stakeholders of the Porgera Mine Project.

In a statement by the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), the EPHA will be fully responsible for funding and managing the hospital.

Stakeholders believe the transfer will promote an efficient provision of health services to the public in the district, Porgera Town and Province.

Many employees including contracted employees turned up and voted. 

Prior to polling, in the presence of the mine’s commissioned security officers accompanied by the community relations officers, mine site presiding officer Ronnie Pyatti broke open the seals of the ballots boxes for Enga Regional and the Lagaip-Porgera Open electorates.

Ms Pyatti explained that the ballot papers and the boxes were being shared between the mine site and the public servants at Paiam town.

She also reminded everyone of what they should do to avoid casting informal votes.

This is expected to further enhance and strengthen Papua New Guinea’s position as one of the top twenty gold and copper producing countries in the world.

“The country is rich in minerals. It ranks in the top 20 world gold and copper producers and also produces silver, nickel and cobalt,” the report said.

“Mining in PNG dates back to 1888, with the modern mining industry developing in the mid-1960s.

“During the reporting period, eight mines were operating in Papua New Guinea, distributed over a number of provinces,”

The productions of these two mining companies were closed in 2015 due to the nationwide drought.

With their recommencement and a recovery in agriculture production and export, following the end of the El Nino drought, as well as increased production at Lihir and Ramu mines, the revenue is slowly increasing.

This, together with lower imports, resulted in the balance of payments recording an overall surplus in 2016, from the deficit in 2015.

Initiated in 2016, BNL’s ‘Job Ready Program (JRP),’ has successfully passed 120 Porgera locals who completed four weeks of basic skills training.

The training has resulted in 72 locals securing permanent employment within the Porgera joint Venture.

 The remaining are either on temporary roles or undergoing some form of further training respective to the job placement requirements.

Amanda Larap, from Yarik village which is located in the Special Mine Lease (SML) area is now undergoing training to be a fitter machinist with the Maintenance Training section.

Ruben Tongole, the community development officer with the Porgera District Administration said this following the completion of renovation works on his home last month by PJV.

A 20 year career public servant, Ruben received keys to his ‘new look’ home on February 16 at Paiam in the presence of Deputy District Administrator, Epenes Nakipane, and local contractor representatives.

“I see it as a betrayal of the next generation,” Polye told a huge crowd in Porgera, Enga Province, during a recent visit.

He claims that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his government have created many problems for the country, which he can’t solve during his term in office.

Polye says a strong commitment to rule of law and justice saves and secures the nation and her people, not just the police, warders and defence force.