SABOTAGE of the power supply between the Hides power station and the Porgera Valley in Enga province has disrupted power service to Porgera town and the mine over the past two weeks.
SABOTAGE of the power supply between the Hides power station and the Porgera Valley in Enga province has disrupted power service to Porgera town and the mine over the past two weeks.
However, repairs to the line were almost complete – a welcome news for the mine and the community.
Four transmission line towers were allegedly cut down two weeks ago by an armed group connected to a Southern Highlands clan.
The damage halted production at the Porgera mining operation, one of the world’s largest gold mines, owned by Barrick Gold Corp and Mineral Resources Enga.
Barrick Porgera general manager Greg Walker said that closure of the operation meant gold production was halted until power was restored.
He said they had been working hard to restore power and resume production at the mine.
“We have been working hard to repair the towers over recent days, and we are looking forward to working at full production again,” he said.
