New Porgera

Police Commissioner David Manning said the illegal squatters have no connection with the land they have been occupying and have exploited the previous closure of the mine to illegally damage property, commit criminal offences, and threaten peace and good order across the Porgera Valley.

 “Following consultation with stakeholders, including the Porgera Valley community, provincial and district administration, private business, and the National Government agencies, police have no other option but to remove the illegal squatters who are threatening peace and good order.

The New Porgera Limited (NPL), in an official media statement released today, announced that all legal and contractual conditions necessary for the reopening of Porgera Mine have been met, and the mine is set to reopen on December 22, 2023. 

Prime Minister James Marape, in his speech at the 17^th PNG Resources and Energy Conference in Sydney today, said the long road to Porgera’s reopening has reached the finish line. 

The agreements signed between the State and New Porgera Ltd include the Mining Development Contract, Special Mining Lease 13, Fiscal Stability Agreement, and Escrow Arrangement for landowners.

Prime Minister James Marape has hailed the signing as a "giant leap" towards the reopening of Porgera gold mine.

The mine is expected to commence operations before the end of the year, with full production anticipated within six months, contingent upon the finalisation of compensation agreements for landowners.

Mining Minister Sir Ano Pala, said this when responding to a recent media article. He said the government was in fact almost ready to grant the Special Mining Lease (SML) on 16 September, signalling the re-start of the mine.

However, he said in the weeks leading up to that date, the Mining Advisory Council (MAC) identified a few technical issues that the applicant New Porgera Limited (NPL), needed to address in their application.

Sir Ano said the issues were flagged with NPL, adding that the MAC had received a response from NPL.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Barrick Gold Corporation, Mark Bristow, met with Prime Minister James Marape on Monday, July 17, 2023, to discuss recent progress and status of the matters remaining to be completed in anticipation of the reopening of Porgera Mine.

Minister Mirisim said as the district government on the ground, he has identified the Strickland Amba Duban Association Inc. (SADA) as the legitimate group.
 
“I will work together with them including Mineral Resource Authority to accommodate them in the riverine ‘mine affected areas.”
 
The minister said the 10 council wards of the Strickland affected communities namely Wara Nene, Sisimin, Trangap, Oksapmin Station, Gawa, Duban, Kunanap, Daburap, Bimin and Sungtem Gapka in Oksapmin LLG will be represented by SADA Inc. during the Mining Development Forum.  

The agreement was signed in a ceremony yesterday at Government House by Governor General Sir Bob Dadae on behalf of the State, Barrick Gold President and CEO Mark Bristow, and representatives of Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited and Mineral Resource Enga Limited.

Prime Minister, James Marape reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the early restart of Porgera Mine with BNL as an equity partner and operator, and promised to ensure that BNL, as the investor, was provided the assurance required to move from care and maintenance to mine recommencement.