The Mineral Resources Authority celebrated 15 years of its Small-Scale Mining Training Center in Wau, Morobe province.
Mineral Resources Authority Small Scale Mining (MRASSM) Branch Manager, Andrew Onguglo said the training center was established in November 2010, with the aim to transform local alluvial miners through training and development.
Onguglo said the center is used to give important awareness, support, and training to the local miners.
He said the training center has assisted around 8,000 miners, not only in Wau, Bulolo, and Morobe, but across Papua New Guinea.
“It has a big impact in the country as a sector because the Training Center has supported local miners through the programs offered,” Onguglo said.
He added that now is the time to reset their direction and improve from the experiences and challenges faced over the years.
Morobe Goldfield Small Scale Miners Association President Banzi Zimanga said it is important to maximize production through the use of training center that they have acquired that that.
Zimanga also welcomes the anniversary celebration representing the people of Wau, Bulolo, and Morobe province.
MRA Managing Director Jerry Garry commended the European Union and World Bank, who saw the need for this resource center and funded the construction of the building.
He also appealed to the locals to send their children to school because it is important to balance business with education.
