A series of consultative forums began yesterday for the new Mining Act andthe new Mining Safety Act.
The Department of Mineral Policy and GeoHazards Management will be conductingthe forums in each ofthe four regions ofthe country.
They will present to stakeholdersthe changes that are proposed inthe new legislations and seektheir views on a review.
The regional review forum in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands; where stakeholders including national members of parliamentolandowners and non-government organizations attended.
Thetheme ofthe Forums is ‘Reformingthe Way Government do Business inthe Mining Sector’; withthe subtheme, ‘Improvingthe Quality of Life for Our People’.
The changes are aimed at reformingthe process so that Papua New Guineas can maximizethe benefits derived from mining and so that locals can also participate meaningfully inthe development ofthe country.
The forums will seek stakeholder feedback onthe proposed new mining sector policies; specificallythe development ofthe Offshore Mineral Policy, Resettlement Policy, Sustainable Mine Development Policy, andthe Mine Closure Policy.
Department Secretary, Mr Shadrach Himata said thatthe forums are part ofthe initial review consultations that began in 2011 as part ofthe legislation review and policy development process.
Acting Deputy Secretary ofthe DMPGM, John Arumba, saidthe review ofthe existing laws stem fromthe fact thatthey (laws) are outdated and need to be amended so thatthey are consistent withthe new trend of development inthe mining industry.
A final report ofthe review will go throughthe government process before being tabled in Cabinet for endorsement.
The government team will hold ther regional forums in Lae, Kokopo and Port Moresby inthe coming weeks.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=r6gHVq4ntwg%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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