THE revised Mining Act 2015 is final, which means that the Government will not entertain any more proposals, an official says.
Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management secretary Shadrach Himata said the Government team responsible for the review led by Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari was satisfied with the final version of the legislation.
He said the revised legislation had been submitted to the National Executive Council for approval to be tabled in Parliament.
“Our consultation with stakeholders to review the Mining Act as directed by Government started in 2009,” Himata said.
“We did media publications, held stakeholder workshops, parliamentary committee presentations, regional consultations throughout the country in 2010 and 2012 and two years of consultation specifically with the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.
“In fact we have developed a database of Commentary Matrix for comments and statements received from stakeholders. We use it to guide the review.”
Under Lupari as chairman, the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum and the State team discussed the 14 issues proposed by the chamber. We did exactly that and Chief Secretary finally sent a letter to the chamber that the consultation is now over as he is satisfied that the State has already addressed all the issues that concern the industry.”
He said during the consultation process there were agreements and disagreements.
“The issue we have disagreed on is where the interest of the State and the people is at stake,” he said.
“The State had to maintain its position to protect the people’s interest.”
Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management secretary Shadrach Himata said the Government team responsible for the review led by Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari was satisfied with the final version of the legislation.
He said the revised legislation had been submitted to the National Executive Council for approval to be tabled in Parliament.
“Our consultation with stakeholders to review the Mining Act as directed by Government started in 2009,” Himata said.
“We did media publications, held stakeholder workshops, parliamentary committee presentations, regional consultations throughout the country in 2010 and 2012 and two years of consultation specifically with the Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.
“In fact we have developed a database of Commentary Matrix for comments and statements received from stakeholders. We use it to guide the review.”
Under Lupari as chairman, the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum and the State team discussed the 14 issues proposed by the chamber. We did exactly that and Chief Secretary finally sent a letter to the chamber that the consultation is now over as he is satisfied that the State has already addressed all the issues that concern the industry.”
He said during the consultation process there were agreements and disagreements.
“The issue we have disagreed on is where the interest of the State and the people is at stake,” he said.
“The State had to maintain its position to protect the people’s interest.”
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