By Fabian Hakalits – EM TV, Port Moresby
Gold buyers of Porgera have called on the national government to review the Mining Law, to accommodate for small scale mining activities.
Gold buyers and representatives, who arrived in Port Moresby today, said that since landowners and the communities are spectators, special consideration must be given, to how they earn their bread and butter.
Spokesman, Rimbink Minig was responding to questions, raised in a media conference this afternoon on the ‘PNG Mining Law 1992 – small scale mining activities’.
An experience was shared on the new controversial Bougainville Transitional Mining that allows small scale mining, which is deemed illegal under the 1992 Mining Act of Papua New Guinea.
Small scale mining is a significant contributor to rural economy in Papua New Guinea and must be reviewed to support and accommodate for small-scale mining industry. Landowners do not mine in the lease areas because it is restricted.
In Porgera, Enga Province, this may have been attributed to continuous attack on gold buyers, by police personnel present on the ground.
Buyers claim that there is no safety and protection guaranteed by law enforcing agencies around the mine site.
In August this year, the Autonomous Bougainville Government passed the new law that allows for small to large-scale mining, and ways it can partner with the large-scale mining sector to generate the people and government’s revenue.
The ABG will develop the industry to ensure it meets best standards of health, safety and environmental protection, behaviour standards for miners, landowners, gold buyers and processers.
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