PNGBLOGS

by YAKAN LEPAKAILI This articles stems from Anir land owners from New Island province, through Island Resource Owners Association (IROA) asking Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) to revoke the exploration lease licence (EL 2096) issued to an Australian based exploration company known to be Mayur Exploration Limited. According to Sunday Chronicle, Sunday October 25, 2015, pg 13, MRA through Mining Advisory Council (MAC) audaciously ignored the land owners call and instead recommended to the Mining Minister to grant the lease license to an applicant company in question. The action of MRA through MAC tantamount to bullying in nature bulldozing decisions to the dismay of simple people; the resource owners on the ground. Reckon people should have the final say but it isn’t the case with Anir people of New Island. I am tempted to form an opinion that one party is collaborating with the other and in this case, MRA is conspiring with Mayur Exploration Limited denying the land owners

by CYRIL GARE When the Airlines PNG Dash 8 aircraft touched down on Lihir airport on Aug 9, 2015 I couldn’t believe that this rich gold mining township airport runaway is bare soil, sending clouds of dust backwards as we taxi in to park at the small terminal nearby. For a first timer, first impression counts. The miner is not serious in sealing the runway. ‘They’re here to get and get out’. The ring road around the airport parameters are bare soil. Even Camp 1 and 2 which houses the official residence of the Newcrest Mining Limited (NML) general manager, Craig Jetson is bare soil causing dust everywhere each time a vehicle passes through. Parts of Lihir Island have sealed roads and permanent houses because of mining benefits except the West Coast where almost nothing is there; roads are neglected for years, people leave in traditional hamlets and evidence of neglect are sporadic. But thanks to the missions especially the Catholic Church for being there with them and providing basic