By Bradley Mariori
The Morobe Provincial Department of Works and Highways has ordered the immediate cessation of all alluvial mining activities within the Wau-Bulolo Highway corridor.
The directive covers the area stretching from Scour Bridge to Golden Pine Bridge.
Acting Manager for the Morobe Department of Works and Highways, Joshua Konangu, issued Formal Notice 01/2026 on November 2, 2025, directing all alluvial miners, landowners and investors to cease operations within the affected corridor.
Konangu said inspection teams had observed ongoing alluvial mining activities within the 40-metre road reserve, extending 20 metres on either side of the centreline, as gazetted under the National Roads Act 2010.
He said the mining activities were undermining road foundations, bridge abutments and drainage structures between Scour Bridge and Golden Pine Bridge. The operations were also diverting watercourses, causing severe siltation of the Bulolo River and creating public safety hazards for road users, with heavy mining equipment operating along the highway.
He further said some mining operations were being carried out without valid Alluvial Mining Leases and Environmental Permits from the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA).
Konangu said these activities were in breach of the Mining Act 1992, Section 6, the Protection of Road Infrastructure Act 2010, Part 3, Section 9, and the Environment Act 2000.
Under the notice, all mining, sluicing, dredging and excavation activities within 100 metres of the highway and bridges must cease within 48 hours.
All equipment, dredges and temporary structures must also be removed from the road corridor within seven days, while excavated areas posing risks to road users must be rehabilitated and backfilled.
Konangu warned that failure to comply would result in the confiscation of equipment by police and mining inspectors, as well as possible prosecution through the Department of Works and Highways, MRA and Morobe Provincial Administration.
He also warned that no compensation would be paid for equipment or losses incurred after the date of the notice.
He said the matter was being treated with the utmost seriousness, as ongoing mining activities had caused extensive damage to road formations and bridge foundations valued at millions of kina.
Editorial note: Please verify the notice date. The document is identified as Formal Notice 01/2026 but dated November 2, 2025. Also, the 48-hour and seven-day deadlines should be checked against the actual date of issuance.
