Up to K135, 000 has now been made available to each woman association in all mining affected areas in the country.
The Mineral Resources Authority, under the second World Bank’s Mining Sector Institutional Strengthening Technical Assistance Project, has made this possible.
This program is run only for the 8 producing mines of Ok Tedi, Porgera, Ramu, Hidden Valley, Tolokuma, Simberi, Lihir and Sinivit.
The mining sector in Papua New Guinea has contributed over 9% to GDP since 2005. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for about 72% of export earnings each year.
Women leaders for the various mine affected areas today, revealed that they and their children do not benefit much from the various mining initiatives and activities in respective provinces.
Participants included associations from Sinivit mine in East New Britain, Ok Tedi mine in Western Province, Tolokuma in Central, Simberi and Lihir in the New Ireland Provinces.
They shared their experiences with other women leaders and representatives of MRA and facilitators of the workshop, GRM International. For many it was a first time experience.
Under the women in mining small grants programme, the range of grants to be disbursed will range between K13, 500 to K135, 000 per project. Each women will be assisted by their respective environment officers, to write project proposals to receive this fund.
The women have been urged to utilize these grants wisely so that in the near future, or when the mines are closed, they can support other women and youths programs. They expressed interest in establishing agricultural projects, poultry, pot plants, and child care just to name a few. The women were told to demonstrate leadership roles, build capacity, and always be accountability.
This funding assistance is available to women associations or groups in the 8 producing mining areas; Ok Tedi, Porgera, Ramu, Hidden Valley, Tolokuma, Simberi, Lihir and Mount Sinivit.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uHeQsuf1Vc8%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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