THE lack of tangible development, especially along the west coast of New Ireland, has turned the tide in support for the Solwara 1 Seabed Mining Project.
In a statement, local communities situated along more than 100-km of shoreline have declared their full support for Nautilus Minerals to proceed with the world’s pioneering deep-sea mining operation.
It is in direct about face to their initial rejection of the project.
The change in stance was highlighted during a recent community awareness programme by the Department of Mineral Policy and Geo Hazard Management in the area to highlight and educate impacted communities on amendments and progress of policy formulation to the Mining Act.
Among those who attended were representatives of developer Nautilus Minerals, the provincial administration, local-level government representatives, NGOs and impacted communities.
The meeting at Messi village saw representatives of the four communities of Messi, Kono, Konogogo and Ratugu in unanimous support of the project because of the lack of government services from the provincial headquarters in Kavieng.