Papua New Guinea’s Cepa Orders Immediate Halt to Illegal Mining in Bulolo

Papua New Guinea’s Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) has issued an immediate stop-work notice to an alluvial mining company operating in Bulolo, Morobe, citing illegal activities on State land designated as McAdam National Park.

Cepa Managing Director Jude Tukuliya stated that the company had unlawfully encroached on the protected area, prompting regulatory action. He, along with Deputy Managing Director Michael Bongorro and Cepa technical officers, visited the site last week to serve the notice following an investigation conducted in November last year.

According to Tukuliya, the company has been given one week from the issuance of the notice to cease operations, remove all machinery, and vacate the site. He emphasized that Cepa, as the country’s mandated environmental regulatory body, plays a crucial role in approving and permitting mining and development projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

He reaffirmed Cepa’s commitment to maintaining strict environmental protection, regulation, and biodiversity conservation, stating that the enforcement of the stop-work notice reflects the agency’s dedication to upholding environmental legislation. Tukuliya stressed that all development activities affecting the environment must undergo proper assessment and permitting processes under the Environment Act 2000.

Furthermore, he clarified that the Alluvial Mining Lease 931, which authorized gold mining activities in McAdam National Park, constituted an illegal and improper encroachment into State land as per the Land Ordinance 1922-1961. He warned that all investors, developers, and businesses must strictly adhere to the country’s environmental regulations.

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