Johnston Tuke

Minister Tuke said it is their intention to have the project approved before the expiry of this term of Parliament.

Following the signing of the Framework Agreement between the State and Barrick Niugini Limited on April 9^th, Mining Minister Johnston Tuke announced the granting of the Wafi-Golpu Mine Special Mining Lease (SML) was next.

He said it is the Government’s plan to have the Project approved soon.

This follows the dismissal of a judicial review proceeding between the Governor for Morobe Province and the PNG Government in relation to the Wafi-Golpu Project Memorandum of Understanding, by the National Court in Lae on February 11^th.

According to a statement by Newcrest Mining, Mining Minister, Johnston Tuke, advised the WGJV partners that the State has withdrawn its support for the MOU, and instructed lawyers to take steps to set aside the stay order and terminate the judicial review proceeding.

Mining Minister, Johnston Tuke, and acting Managing Director of the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), Nathan Mosusu, said this during royalty payment for the project on Friday, 6^th July.

The royalties totaling K25, 537, 210.13 were paid on behalf of the National Government by Tuke, the landowners and the Madang Provincial Government.

Of the total amount, K17,620,674.99 was paid to landowners and K7,916,535.14 to the Madang Provincial Government.

It was during the payment that Minister Tuke called on them to use their money wisely.

Nautilus CEO Mike Johnston said this during a meeting with Mining Minister, Johnston Tuke, and key state agencies to present a brief and update on the project.

Johnston said the company will deliver the Solwara 1 Project and the recent announcement of the departure of key figures and financing delays was no issue.

Despite this, Nautilus says the company will deliver the project once the seafloor production system is ready.

Johnston presented detailed insight into the project, emphasising that the company has made various tests to verify potential problems.

His speech, which was presented on his behalf by Goilala MP William Samb during the closure of the Extractive Industry National Emergency Response Challenge 2017, said maintaining a high standard of health and safety at project sites are an integral part of any successful operation.

He said a 12-month analysis by the MRA on the performance of the mining industry on health & safety showed that there is a downward trend on serious injuries and severity frequency rates.