More than K40 million was paid out to the CMCA (Community Mine Continuation Agreement) communities in August.
This was under the CMCA extension agreements, says Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) Deputy Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Employee and External Relations Musje Werror.
“The CMCA Extension Agreements were signed in December 2012 formalising the community consent for the extension of mine life from 2015 – 2025.
“These annual payments are consistent with this agreement,” said Werror.
He added that the CMCA regions include North Ok Tedi, Highway (Tutuwe), Lower Ok Tedi, Middle Fly, Suki Fly Gogo, Manawete, Kiwaba and Dudi which have established Trusts to approve the use of funds allocated for development, investments and women and children.
Werror also said the mine villages which include Atemkit, Bultem, Finalbin, Kavorbip, Migalsim and Wangbin will receive nine million kina in September 2016 under the Mine Village Development Funds, land lease and general compensation payments.
“By the end of this year over K80 million will have been paid out to the CMCA communities and mine villages under the various compensation and benefit sharing agreements between the communities, landowners and OTML.
“This includes K15 million paid out in April 2016 under the Ok Tedi Restated Eight Supplementary Agreement General Compensation to the communities,” said Werror.
OTML Community Relations Manager Kuam Sanewai said apart from the funds going into the Trusts, a large portion is allocated for cash payments to over 18,000 family accounts covering a population of 127,000 people.
Sanewai said the cash payments were made last week and families are now accessing their funds.
He further explained that the cash disbursements and the development, investment, women and children funds are managed by Deloitte while Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) is responsible for the delivery of Trust approved projects and programs.
Photo Caption: OTML Community Relations Officer John Ramit (in yellow uniform) on patrol with BSP Officers at Serki village in South Fly, Western province. Serki village is located within the Suki Fly Gogo Region which is one of the eight CMCA regions. (OTML File Photo)