PORT MORESBY - Papua New Guinea's OK Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has initiated the second phase of the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) extension review project. Community relations and sustainability manager Jeffery Tom announced that regional meetings have commenced in Tabubil, Kiunga, and Daru in Western Province.
“The regional meetings will span over three weeks to cover all the impact regions along the CMCA corridor to ensure the village representatives from each CMCA are able to hear presentations from OTML departments on programmes and projects to benefit the communities from the mine’s life extension,” Tom stated.
Tom also noted that other project stakeholders, including government departments and shareholders represented by the Mineral Resources Development Company, are participating in these meetings. The discussions aim to address feedback from the initial round of village meetings, draft a regional development plan, draft a position paper on the CMCA review, elect delegates for the working group, and prepare for the upcoming village meetings.
The village meetings are a crucial platform for disseminating information from OTML management, informing communities about the CMCA extension review process, and facilitating the election of two village representatives from each community for the current regional and working group meetings with OTML.
Independent facilitators from Tanorama Limited, who were previously involved in the 2006 and 2007 mid-term review of the CMCA, have been re-engaged for this project. Tom praised his team and the independent facilitators for successfully concluding the first phase with positive feedback from the communities.
“The key aspect of the village and regional meetings is ensuring the free, prior, and informed consent process was followed,” Tom emphasized. “And this is progressively evident,” he added.
OTML operates on a social license granted by the communities through the CMCA Extension Agreement, underscoring the importance of these ongoing consultations and reviews.
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