Mine protest deplored
By GYNNIE KERO - The National
MINING Minister Johnson Tuke has deplored the forced shutdown of operations at the Wafi Golpu mining project by “certain elements”, saying it is “criminal” and “unnecessary”.
He said it indicated the little knowledge some had of the multi-billion project in Morobe.
Tuke said a memorandum of understanding signed by the Government and the two developers Newcrest and Harmony last month was “not the final deal”.
“For people to go out and stop the project is unnecessary. It is a criminal act,” he said.
“I condemn the actions by certain elements. They probably have their own politics back home. They should not take it out on the company.”
He said talks on the multi-million kina project were on-going
“We still have some more to go. The Government will still provide leadership and bring this project into fruition,” he said.
Mineral Resource Authority managing director Jerry Garry said people must first understand the memorandum before staging demonstrations.
He said the memorandum signed last month was the green light to the developers to get the project moving, and to give confidence to international financiers of the project.
Garry estimates that the project development will cost around US$6billion (K18 billion).
Tuke said they had initiated only three meetings.
“We have a series of meetings to go before we formulate the agreement,” he said.
“We haven’t touched based on the business contracts too. We are still at the premature stage. For people to jump quickly, that’s not good.”
Activities at the exploration site are currently suspended pending assurance that law and order has been re-established. Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture executive project director Bryan Bailie said “the safety of our personnel is paramount and that we will not put them at risk. As such, all non-essential personnel were evacuated as a precautionary measure.”
“The WGJV does not condone behaviours by individuals or groups of people who threaten, make demands, or intimidate WGJV employees. These activities do great damage to investor confidence,” he said.
“It is hoped that, with the assistance of the State and the provincial government, this unfortunate event will be rapidly addressed.”
He said it indicated the little knowledge some had of the multi-billion project in Morobe.
Tuke said a memorandum of understanding signed by the Government and the two developers Newcrest and Harmony last month was “not the final deal”.
“For people to go out and stop the project is unnecessary. It is a criminal act,” he said.
“I condemn the actions by certain elements. They probably have their own politics back home. They should not take it out on the company.”
He said talks on the multi-million kina project were on-going
“We still have some more to go. The Government will still provide leadership and bring this project into fruition,” he said.
Mineral Resource Authority managing director Jerry Garry said people must first understand the memorandum before staging demonstrations.
He said the memorandum signed last month was the green light to the developers to get the project moving, and to give confidence to international financiers of the project.
Garry estimates that the project development will cost around US$6billion (K18 billion).
Tuke said they had initiated only three meetings.
“We have a series of meetings to go before we formulate the agreement,” he said.
“We haven’t touched based on the business contracts too. We are still at the premature stage. For people to jump quickly, that’s not good.”
Activities at the exploration site are currently suspended pending assurance that law and order has been re-established. Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture executive project director Bryan Bailie said “the safety of our personnel is paramount and that we will not put them at risk. As such, all non-essential personnel were evacuated as a precautionary measure.”
“The WGJV does not condone behaviours by individuals or groups of people who threaten, make demands, or intimidate WGJV employees. These activities do great damage to investor confidence,” he said.
“It is hoped that, with the assistance of the State and the provincial government, this unfortunate event will be rapidly addressed.”
Go to this link: https://www.thenational.com.pg/mine-protest-deplored/
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