MINING Minister Byron Chan has refuted landowner claims over the removal of Australian mining firm Allied Gold in Simberi, New Ireland province.
This follows recent comments made in the media by the Simberi Mines landowner spokesman regarding proposed changes by the mining ministry to replace Allied Gold which the minister said is a lie.
“The proposed change to replace Allied Gold Plc in Simberi that was reported in the Post Courier by Henry Salin, the SML 136 Landowners’ spokesman is baseless argument and lacks truth at this stage.
“Yes there is talk about interest over certain actions with ongoing discussions by the Tabar Landowners and their proposed partner and developer that I am aware is happening. And these are discussions seen fit by the mandated and legitimate representatives of the landowners such as the Simberi Mining Area Association (SMAA) and the Tatau and Big Tabar Landowner Associations,” Chan said.
He explained, “the State, I must clearly express here that it has no part in it and it is not obliged to be part of those private talks or negotiations they have carried out. Salin should know this as normal process and not to take the matter further than that and raise unwarranted statement that serves partisan and other interests”.
Chan said any developer or investor wishing to look into existing business or new business opportunity is a normal practice and is an internal affair for those concerned.
“As Minister for Mining I have responsibility to protect the interest of the state and the people in any matter that fall under and within my ministerial responsibility.
“Therefore, in terms of breaches and non-compliance, if any is proven, say within Simberi Gold operation or another mine in PNG, it is my lawful duty and within powers enabling me under relevant state laws to step in and take necessary actions. This may include referral action as the case may require. In the mean time there is none and no need for alarm.
“I want to remind Salin and his faction 136 Leaders that there had been several concerns raised about the Simberi Gold operation and it has taken a long time to resolve due to differences and non-cooperation by ML 136 and the developer not coming to the round table talks. This had happened in the past meetings, so how do we solve our problems if other parties do not come to talks aimed at finding an amicable and lasting solution.
“As part of my responsibility I have instituted another inter-state agency team to investigate the Simberi operation and I await the findings for this.
“I caution Salin and his band of ML 136 leaders to be careful in making their statements’ to suggest that the Simberi issue may result in a crisis likened to Bougainville.
“This is utter nonsense and unfounded. If the SML 136 Leaders think and suggest this, they are treading on a fine and dangerous line and it is better for them to confine themselves to the issue at hand and deal with their landowner concerns via dialogue, consensus and peaceful process we all aspire to guard,” Chan said.
The MRA has apparently, as latest as this last week, stated that there are no breaches of the Mining Act committed by the miner/operator at Simberi and the tenements are in good standing.
Chan’s latest effort is utterly astounding, more than somewhat confusing, aand does raise a serious doubt as to his motive.
Perhaps in his own confused bumbling way Chan is trying to encourage the company to have a chat with him about funding for the next election.
Lol
Recently Byron Chan, Minister for Mining, publicly refuted directly to Simberi Land Owners claims that he [Chan] had made any decision regarding exploration licences and mining leases held by Australian mining firm, Allied Gold in Simberi, New Ireland Province.
Mr Chan has gone on the public record to the PNG Press as saying that such claims of administrative action are utter nonsense and unfounded and stated that (with respect to such claim of administrative action) THERE IS NONE AND NO NEED FOR ALARM……………”
Now, from anyones understanding the Minister is publicly saying that he has taken no administrative action to cancel any such tenements held by Allied Gold because as (he has (apparently) otherwise stated) he has no factual basis or legal justification to do so.
Is Mr Chan telling the truth?
AFP
The South African government has quashed persistent rumours about nationalizing the country’s mining industry.
AFP reports the government has no plans to nationalize its mines despite the radical rhetoric being espoused by some in the ruling ANC party:
“As we speak, nationalisation is not a policy of the government or ANC,” Godfrey Oliphant, deputy minister for mineral resources, told a round-table ahead of the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the largest mining industry gathering in the world.
“I can’t put my head on the block about nationalisation but we are definitely going ahead with the beneficiation policy. We want a model where everyone works together, the private sector, state-owned enterprises and government, that benefits all South Africans,” he said.
While an ANC report last week stressed that nationalization would be unaffordable — the government would need to raise R1 trillion ($125 billion), more than its entire budget, to buy out listed mining companies – the party is considering other plans to increase state involvement in the sector, particularly with regard to platinum.
The New Age paper reported “proposals included a 50% tax on the sale of mining rights to prevent speculation. A windfall tax of up to 50% on super-profits, defined as a return on investment of 22%, was also included. However, the royalty tax would be reduced from four to one percent.”
Firebrand Julius Malema, the leader of the youth wing of the ANC which often acts as kingmaker in the country’s politics, spearheaded the campaign to seize mines, farms and banks last year.
Malema is never far from headlines in the country with racially charged comments but an anti-corruption police unit is probing his business dealings and last week his suspension from the ANC for “bringing the organization into disrepute” over an unrelated matter was upheld.
A closely watched survey by the Fraser Institute shows South Africa’s appeal for mining investment has declined dramatically since 2006.
In 2006 South Africa was ranked 37th out of 64 countries and territories. The country’s position has declined since then and its 2010 ranking was 67th in an expanded survey of 79 countries and territories.
The mining sector in South Africa contributes 9.6% to GDP and employs 3.1% of the country’s labour force.
In 2010 the sector contributed 15.3% of country’s exports.
A Citigroup report in 2010 states of South Africa’s $2,500 billion worth of reserves, $2,300 billion resides in the platinum group metals.
In dollar value Guinea, South Africa, India, the Ukraine and Kazakhstan are the countries that under-produce the most in terms of their reserves: