Consultative Forums on PNG New Mining Acts Begins

PORT MORESBY - A series of consultative forums began yesterday for the new Mining Act and the new Mining Safety Act.

The Department of Mineral Policy and GeoHazards Management will be conducting the forums in each of the four regions of the country.

They will present to stakeholders the changes that are proposed in the new legislations and seek their views on a review.

The regional review forum in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands; where stakeholders including national members of parliament, landowners and non-government organizations attended.

The theme of the Forums is ‘Reforming the Way Government do Business in the Mining Sector’; with the sub-theme, ‘Improving the Quality of Life for Our People’.

The changes are aimed at reforming the process so that Papua New Guineans can maximize the benefits derived from mining and so that locals can also participate meaningfully in the development of the country.

The forums will seek stakeholder feedback on the proposed new mining sector policies; specifically the development of the Offshore Mineral Policy, Resettlement Policy, Sustainable Mine Development Policy, and the Mine Closure Policy.

Department Secretary, Mr Shadrach Himata said that the forums are part of the initial review consultations that began in 2011 as part of the legislation review and policy development process.

Acting Deputy Secretary of the DMPGM, John Arumba, said the review of the existing laws stem from the fact that they (laws) are outdated and need to be amended so that they are consistent with the new trend of development in the mining industry.

A final report of the review will go through the government process before being tabled in Cabinet for endorsement.

The government team will hold other regional forums in Lae, Kokopo and Port Moresby in the coming weeks. [EMTV| EMTV]