THE alluvial mining sector will be reserved for Papua New Guineans only, PNG Mining Minister Johnson Tuke says.Tuke, pictured, made the statement during the Alluvial and Small-Scale Mining Convention and Expo in Alotau yesterday.
He said this was one of the major undertakings by the Government.
Tuke said others included four regional small-scale alluvial mining schools to be established in the country, and the sector to be funded by the Government.
He made the announcement in front of a fullhouse of local and foreign stakeholders at Cameron Secondary School.
“Since taking office as the mining minister, I have been passionately attracted to the growth of
the alluvial industry,” Tuke said.
“My desire is to help Papua New Guineans to train professionally and acquire necessary skills and knowledge on how to mine the alluvial exceptionally well.
“Build up the wealth capital to be able to engage productively in the exploration and mining stages.”
Tuke said mining was a sector that PNG based its budget on and it was imperative, under the Government, to help the people participate meaningfully in the alluvial sector and generate wealth for the country.
“Enough of outside people mining in the alluvial sector,” he said.
“We can’t be spectators anymore in our own God-given land.
“I will do a Government submission to make alluvial mining a reserved activity only for national participation – only Papua New Guineans must participate in this sector.”
Tuke said there would be four regional alluvial miners’ training centres in Milne Bay (Southern), Bulolo in Morobe (Momase), Kainantu in Eastern Highlands (Highlands) and New Ireland (Islands).
He also announced that the Government would fund the alluvial mining sector starting next year to assist people in their activities. The National
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