Porgera Landowners Association

“We unequivocally lend our support to the Prime Minister to recommence the mining operation in Porgera before the year’s end,” said Porgera Landowners Association Negotiation Committee Chairman, Maso Mangape.

Dickson Pundi and Mr Mangape, who are Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Committee, met with Prime Minister on Thursday to hand over their unsolicited landowner position paper on the eve of the calling of the ‘New Porgera’ Development Forum.

PLOA Negotiation Team Chairman, Maso Mangape, says the decision announced by the Prime Minister, James Marape, was made on ill advise.

Mangape, told this newsroom that the announcement came as a surprise to the landowners, claiming several letters to the Government to discuss the future of the mine were not acknowledged.

Mangape said the uncertainty clouding the future of the mine has heightened after Barricks announcement to temporarily suspend operations.