Pogera Mine

Barrick: We Remain Committed

Barrick Gold President and CEO, Mark Bristow will ensure job opportunities are made available for Papua New Guineans and especially the people of Porgera. But this means employing trained an skilled nationals in the ‘New Porgera’.

“We want to see more focus on the benefits arriving with Papua New Guineans and not in some other country and I believe in that. I am a committed partner to the people and the development of an emerging market,” Mr Bristow said.

Marape to visit Pogera

He announced this during a press conference late yesterday afternoon.

The Prime Minister is expected to formally handover the Framework Agreement to the landowners.

“I will inform our people on what we have secured as far as the framework agreement is concerned.”

The operations of the mine have been suspended since April 2020.

Under the new binding agreement, PNG secured a 51% stake while Barrick Niugini the developer, has a 49% stake.

Marape boasts the 51% stake is a much better deal for the landowners and the country.

Porgera Set To Meet PM, Bristow

The Prime Minister, James Marape and Porgera mine operator Barrick Niugini Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Mark Bristow will meet concerned landowners at the Paiam oval, with a huge crowd expected to attend.

The binding agreement will pave way for landowner negotiations. The deal not only outlines prospective benefit-sharing principles and mine operating plans, but also lays out the final compliance that must be done before mining can resume. Mine reopening is expected later this year if mutually agreed conditions are fulfilled.

Mine impacted communities want legacy issues addressed

The Landowners represent, among others, Lease for Mining Purposes (LMP) and Riverine communities.

The landowners made their stance known just before the signing of the Framework Agreement by the State and BNL for the reopening of the Porgera Mine.

Impacted communities of the Porgera Gold Mine have called on the State and BNL to address all legacy issues faced by them since the start of the mine 30 years ago.

They have also called to be included in the new project agreement.

PMAWU welcomes mine reopening

This follows the announcement by the PNG Government that a new agreement for the re-openning of the Porgera Gold Mine is set to be signed with Barrick Niugini Limited.

In a statement, the PMAWU Executives said since the closure of the mine those directly impacted have struggled.