THE Papua New Guinea Mineral Resources Authority is assessing more than K50 billion investments in the country, says managing director Jerry Garry.
They include Wafi-Golpu , Frieda River and Woodlark mines.
“We are also looking at the Central Lime and Cement,” he said.
“If that project comes on-stream, it will be one of the first industrial mines ever built in the country.”
Garry was addressing the consultation forum on the Mine and Works (safety and health) Bill 2021 in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said some of the world’s largest mines were listed in PNG.
“We have grown from strength to strength,” he said.
“If you compare the Bank of PNG statistics, the mining sector alone, in terms of production, has exported over K17 billion in 2020 and 2019.
“So it’s a huge industry that we are trying to regulate and manage.”
Garry thanked the industry for ensuring that safety was the top priority.
“They have been taking health and safety at the workplaces very seriously,” he said.
“We must not only consider (the workers) and the environment but also people living around the (areas) we operate in.
“And if we are using any hazards, we must also take responsibility.”
Garry said one of the new things to expect was the newest mining methods in Wafi-Golpu called block cave mining.
“New mining hazards will come with this new mining method,” he said.
The National / Pacific Mining Watch
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