George Gusi

Tuke unaware of locals’ ultimatum

Johnson Tuke said he was not aware of it when contacted by Loop PNG.

Yesterday, chairman of the Yulai Landowners Group, George Gusi, announced on social media the ultimatum, which lapses on Nov 20, for the withdrawal of the licence from Asidokona.

When contacted by Loop PNG, he said landowners would shut the mine down if the ultimatum was not met.

Gusi claims Asidokona does not have the capacity to operate the mine.

The chairman previously snubbed the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

Locals threaten to shut mine down

Chairman of the Yulai Landowner Group, George Gusi, announced on his Facebook profile yesterday that a seven-day ultimatum was given, which lapses on Monday, November 20.

Gusi stated that the current operator was not capable of operating the mine and called for its withdrawal and for another operator to invest in the mine.

“I have given 7 days’ ultimatum for the government to withdraw the mining licence from Asidokona Mining Resources Ltd.

“The rationale behind this? Asidokona has no capacity to operate a mine.”

Give me fixed dates for commitment: LO

Chairman of the Tolukuma (Yulai) Landowner Association, George Gusi, said this following the signing of the revised memorandum of agreement.

Speaking to media after the signing, which Gusi refused to be a part of, he said he wanted to know when the commitments for infrastructure development would begin.

“They have to give me the fixed date before implementation,” said Gusi.

The Government has committed K3.7 million in infrastructure projects to affected landowners of the Tolukuma Gold Mine and are to be implemented within the three year term of the revised MOA.