Papua New Guinea is operating mines are regulated using a 42-year-old Act that is posing a huge challenge for the state.
This was according to PNG Mining Minister Johnson Tuke in a statement during the opening of the Southern Regional Forum on review of the Mining Act in Port Moresby on Friday.
Mining is a global business and Papua New Guinea is one of the mining countries in the world.
The country hosts operations such as the Ok Tedi gold and copper mine (Western) Lihir gold mine (New Ireland), Porgera open and underground mine (Enga) and the Ramu nickel and cobalt mine (Madang).
Others included the Kainantu underground gold mine (EHP), Hidden Valley gold mine (Morobe) and Simberi gold mine (New Ireland).
Tuke said: “The practical aspects of mining globally is changing.
“The method of mining, mining technology, mining equipment, standards and operating procedures have changed.”
He noted that the Wafi Golpu underground project in Morobe would use block caving method to extract minerals.
“While, the Solwara deep sea project in New Ireland would use mining vessel with robotic machines,” he added. “These two projects (Wafi Golpu and Solwara 1) will be assessed in detail before the environment and mining licences are granted by the state,” Tuke said.
“There are specific retirements that will be discussed in detail during the stakeholder consultation forum (on Friday) with relevant stakeholders.
“State needs practical input from the miners, transport service providers to mining projects among others.
“Safety and health of any person in mining projects is paramount.
“I believe that with the support from the stakeholders, we will be able to draft a new Mining Act to regulate the industry effectively.”
Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management secretary Harry Kore said. Once the new Mining Act is enacted, six policies will come into existence.
They include the policies on mining, sustainable mining development, geothermal resources, offshore mining, mining involuntary resettlement and mining project rehabilitation and closure.
The National / Pacific Mining Watch
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This was according to PNG Mining Minister Johnson Tuke in a statement during the opening of the Southern Regional Forum on review of the Mining Act in Port Moresby on Friday.
Mining is a global business and Papua New Guinea is one of the mining countries in the world.
The country hosts operations such as the Ok Tedi gold and copper mine (Western) Lihir gold mine (New Ireland), Porgera open and underground mine (Enga) and the Ramu nickel and cobalt mine (Madang).
Others included the Kainantu underground gold mine (EHP), Hidden Valley gold mine (Morobe) and Simberi gold mine (New Ireland).Tuke said: “The practical aspects of mining globally is changing.
“The method of mining, mining technology, mining equipment, standards and operating procedures have changed.”
He noted that the Wafi Golpu underground project in Morobe would use block caving method to extract minerals.
“While, the Solwara deep sea project in New Ireland would use mining vessel with robotic machines,” he added. “These two projects (Wafi Golpu and Solwara 1) will be assessed in detail before the environment and mining licences are granted by the state,” Tuke said.
“There are specific retirements that will be discussed in detail during the stakeholder consultation forum (on Friday) with relevant stakeholders.
“State needs practical input from the miners, transport service providers to mining projects among others.
“Safety and health of any person in mining projects is paramount.
“I believe that with the support from the stakeholders, we will be able to draft a new Mining Act to regulate the industry effectively.”
Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management secretary Harry Kore said. Once the new Mining Act is enacted, six policies will come into existence.
They include the policies on mining, sustainable mining development, geothermal resources, offshore mining, mining involuntary resettlement and mining project rehabilitation and closure.
The National / Pacific Mining Watch
Next :