Morobe Governor, Ginson Saonu, has blamed the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the Mining Department for the long delay to the start of the Wafi- Golpu Joint Venture Mining project in the Morobe province. Governor Soanu, who spoke during the Presentation of the various methods for the Wafi- Golpu Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) this week in Port Moresby, said if these government bodies had done their job right at the first place, things would not be at this current stage where talks continue on environmental impacts and landowner concerns. “If all the departments had done it as a serious business and put together everything and help the leaders, we would have made a decision already, prime minister would have declared mining open by Independence Day this year,” he said.
Governor Saonu after making this statement, later admitted that the provincial government was unable to make any presentation all because they were not ready. He made it known that they were informed about the presentation and negotiation very late, in- fact 24 hours before the event in Port Moresby was held on Tuesday 13th October. Thus, the governor demanded the developers of the project, Harmony Gold and Newcrest Mining, CEPA, the MRA and the Mining Department and the prime minister along with other stakeholders to be in Lae city next week so to continue further talks and at the same time present to the landowners who will be affected by the proposed mine tailing methods. Plus, also look at some other methods that were present to the provincial government. “There are some options for terrestrial tailing and reprocessing method. I think two or three options they presented to my cabinet and we ask other people to also present their options and we expect this sort of meeting to take place, so that developers and leaders get together, and let them present it. “so that is the kind of approach I am taking with my provincial government cabinet and people will always stand behind me for doing the right thing right from the beginning,” he said. “When the people are happy the provincial government is there to assist you to get this project forward. We are for it, the landowners are for it, everybody is for it. It’s a good project, it’s a project that will bring Papua New Guinea economy forward.” “I want the developer, the ministers, prime minister, all of us. We are here to develop this mine and we will all benefit and therefore as governor, I want every one of us satisfied with this,” said the governor. Image: Governor Saonu (Picture sources from ramumine.wordpress.com) PNGFM/PNGFacts Next : PNG Government Looking At Money Generating Options: Eoe Comments are closed.
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