The Technical Working Team assistingthe West Coast Central Seabed MiningLand:wners Association has been told bythe consultant for the New Ireland Provincial Government that ownership of resources for the seabed mining project does not involvethem.
It was revealed thatthe Solwara1 project MOU signed between Nautilus Mining, New Ireland Provincial Government and National Government was without landowners’ consultation and participation.
This stunning revelation has raised concerns of resource ownership among West Coast villagers of Central New Ireland.
The Solwara1 project is a major impact project onthe mining charts oPNG.
Howeverthe revealing ofthe ownership ofthe seabed resources has stirred a dark cloud over this project.
th of AugustoActing Director Mining and consultantoDr. Beuce Harris revealed that people inthe corridors ofthe seabed mining do not own any resources at all.
Chairman ofthe West Coast Central Seabed MiningLand:wners Association, Benson Tomarum, said this is an insult tothe rightful resource owners.
The technical team was told that resources abstracted fromthe sea floor are owned by Nautilusthe developer, New Ireland Provincial Government andthe National Government oPNG.
Chairman Tomarum andthe technical team are demandingthe State, Mining Resource Authority and New Ireland Provincial Government to immediately enact laws relevant tothe Deep Sea Mining prior tothe commencement ofthe project operation.
Mr Tomarum concluded that if nothing is done landowners will haltthe Solwara1 project untilthere is full participation by resource owners.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=6Ybh89KBe74%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
