Barrick Niugini Ltd

In no order of priority, Prime Minister James Marape listed them as ExxonMobil PNG, TotalEnergies, Newmont Corporation and Barrick Niugini Ltd.

“One is a big gas company; one is a big oil company. You look at the mining business, two of the biggest; Newmont is the biggest, my friend Mr (Mark) Bristow will agree that Barrick is right up there.

“Where else in the whole world do you have ‘the big four’ in one country, let alone a developing country?

BNL, in a press statement, has clarified that these advertisements have not been authorized or approved by the company. BNL stated it is the only party responsible for sourcing and awarding goods and services contracts for the Porgera Gold Mine and strictly adheres to Barrick's global Procurement Standards and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

BNL stated that the restart of the Porgera Gold Mine is subject to certain conditions and as such, has not yet advertised or requested expressions of interest for long-term contracts.

Parties in April this year sanctioned a “Framework Agreement for the New Porgera Project” which spells out the roadmap to reopen the mine.

Mark Bristow, CEO and President of Barrick Gold, last week explained key elements of “the framework at a public forum at the Piam Oval in Porgera, witnessed by Prime Minister James Marape, landowners and other leaders.

Mine management reported that shortly after midnight on Sunday 29 September, an unknown assailant fired upon the Asset Protection Officer as he was patrolling an area in steep terrain within the mine perimeter fence.

BNL Executive Managing Director, Tony Esplin, confirmed that the officer had sustained a serious firearm injury and was evacuated by air to Port Moresby for urgent surgical treatment.

“The Asset Protection Officer received a single gunshot wound to the upper body and is in a very serious but stable condition,” Esplin said.

Noting the high costs of remote area aviation services, BNL has provided funding to allow for up to a year of significant price reductions for travel to and from the rural airstrips on MAF aircraft within Enga Province. Two months into the year-long subsidy scheme, there has been enthusiastic uptake by the remote communities.