by Meriba Tulo – EM TV News, Port Moresby
A formal inquiry will be conducted into the recent death of a mine worker at Ok Tedi Mine (OTML), Western Province.
The Papua New Guinea Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) had confirmed that its Mines Inspectors had conducted a preliminary investigation at the mine site immediately following the incident on Thursday afternoon – this will be followed by a formal inquiry.
On Monday, OTML was issued a notice to restrict work in the centre pit area, where continuous bad weather had hampered efforts to locate and retrieve the body of the deceased worker.
MRA Managing Director, Philip Samar expressed the MRA’s disappointment in the fatality at Ok Tedi, and called on the mine to ensure that its daily operations were being conducted in accordance with its safety management plans and systems.
“This fatality itself is one too many for the mining sector and I appeal to all the mines to conduct their operations in a safe and responsible manner ensuring that the safety and welfare of its workforce is priority.”
