Wafi-Golpu Project

Minister questioned on waste disposal method

Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu outlined that the developer proposed deep-sea tailings placement as the only option in its environmental impact statement.

Morobe is not against Wafi-Golpu mining but it is against its deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) method.

Saonu asked Minister Wera Mori to clarify a number of critical issues surrounding the proposed dumping of mine waste into the Huon Gulf, where over 400,000 people have sustained their livelihoods from for many generations.

Positive economic growth delayed

During the launching of the World Bank Economic Update Report on PNG, World Bank Senior Economist for Papua New Guinea, Ilyas Sarsenov, said PNG’s economy in the future remains positive.

The delays in major resource projects means the mid-term will remain sluggish.

Wafi-Golpu Project resumes after protest

Exploration activities were suspended on January 12 following an illegal protest by around 100 people.

The protestors threatened to enter the exploration camp unless it was evacuated and all work activities were immediately stopped.

Executive Project Director, Bryan Bailie, stressed that safety of its personnel is paramount and Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture will not put them at risk.

All non-essential personnel were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

PM assures Tutumang on Wafi-Golpu Project

O’Neill said the Government will ensure the Tutumang, legitimate landowners and other key stakeholders participate in the project agreement discussion of the Wafi-Golpu Project.

He said this when questioned by Markham MP, Koni Iguan, on the Morobe Provincial Government’s refusal to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the State and developer Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV).

The Markham MP asked the Prime Minister to explain the recent events surrounding the Wafi-Golpu Project and the refusal of the Tutumang to sign.

Wafi-Golpu project expected in June 2019

Speaking at the Company’s Investor Conference, Executive General Manager, Craig Jetson, said the project has a wonderful ore body and is project of national significance to PNG.

The Investor Conference was held ion Sydney, Australia, on October 26th .

Jetson said following the submission of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in June this year, the company are working with the PNG Government to finalize the necessary agreements to be required to enable them to approve the Special Mining Lease (SML).

Project area leaders undergo training

The leaders from Hengambu, Yanta and Babuaf were told to lead by example.

The training, facilitated by Tanorama, took participants through sessions on understanding processes involved in preparing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the development forum, becoming a better leader, practicing good governance and to be articulate in communication.

The training is part of a series of WGJV’s community engagement programs to help prepare these communities for the mining development forum once it is announced by the Mining Minister.

Significant economic benefits generated: Newcrest

This includes K85 million in royalties and K156 million paid in taxes amongst multi-million kina investments public infrastructure and salaries to its five thousand local employees.

These figures were revealed in the company’s 2017 Sustainability report released last month.

The report also states Newcrest’s commitment as a development partner for PNG to expand with further progress toward the Wafi-Golpu Project.

Largest, complex underground PNG mine

The team from Wafi-Golpu yesterday presented the feasibility study update to Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel and Mining Minister Johnson Tuke in Port Moresby.

The update will form part of a revised proposal for development in support of the Special Mining Lease application, which was also submitted to the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) in Port Moresby the same day (March 20).

Tailings placement site identified

The Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV) presented during the PNG Mining and Petroleum Conference that the Huon Gulf deep sea trench was highly suitable.

Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture executive project director, Bryan Bailie, said in the presentation that local rivers, including the Markham, discharged 60 million tons per annum of natural sediment into the Markham Canyon, which reports to the New Britain Trench which is 9000 metres deep.

He said it was a highly disturbed environment, with regular purging of sediments through mass flow events and has low bio accumulated risk.

Upskilling locals on catering at Wafi-Golpu Project

The hands-on training is facilitated by catering and camp services contractor, National Catering Services (NCS).

NCS Wafi-Golpu Site Manager, Casper Auro, says it is important to up-skill employees to improve the quality of services to meet clients’ demand.