By Bridgette Komatep – EM TV, Port Moresby
The Frieda mine project in West Sepik Province is said to be, one of the biggest mining projects next to Ok Tedi Mine in the Western Province. The project is currently in its feasibility stages and is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
As part of landowner mobilisation, a team from the Telefomin District Administration flew into the area.
The Frieda mine project area is located at the border of West Sepik and East Sepik provinces but administratively, it comes under West Sepik Province, notably Telefomin District.
The local MP, Solan Mirisim and his administration flew into Blackwara to address the villagers. Blackwara village is one of the seven impact villages in the Frieda Mine Project area.
Based on the pre-feasibility study completed in October 2010, the mine is expected to produce 246,000tonnes of copper and 379,000 ounces of gold annually.
The potential production to derive from Frieda Mine is three times bigger than Ok Tedi Mine which is about 40 minutes away by air. The mine’s first production is expected in 2017.
Mr Mirisim told the people that his administration will support them to mobilise and form a recognised landowner group. He committed an undisclosed amount in the 2015 National Budget to support them.
The project is currently in the feasibility stages. The mine will be developed as an open cut operation and production should commence by the end of 2015.
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