Proposed policy to declare mining revenue

Cedric Patjole | PNG Loop | October 9, 2017

The Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management (DMPGH) says it is working to introduce a policy for stakeholders in the mining industry to declare any revenue received or made from mining projects.

Secretary Harry Kore told Loop PNG that the policy idea came about during consultations for the Revised Mining Act.

He said while there are reports of mining revenue generated, a lot of locals impacted by mining activities claim to not see any tangible results.

Kore said the policy will ensure stakeholders such as provincial governments, authorities such as the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), Mineral Resources Development Cooperation (MRDC), as well as landowner association chairmen and landowner company CEOs declare revenue received for the bene t of all.

“You fail to do that and you will be held accountable and you will be penalised under the law. So it becomes a practise. Every quarter they just declare their interest. We know that so much money goes to our landowners but whether it trickles down to the peoples is another thing,” said Kore.

The policy idea is similar to a draft legislation currently being drawn up by the PNG Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative to make mandatory all revenue from the mineral, petroleum and gas sectors to be fully disclosed as per good governance standards.

Kore said they are yet to have formal discussions regarding the policy idea however, there is cooperation and the policy complements that of the work the EITI is undertaking.

Secretary Kore added that one of the agendas of the policy is to ensure there is sustainability in how revenue is invested back in the country.

Forty years of mining without a law governing waste management

Already forty years too late but still another five years to wait…

Will PNG ever stop marine and river waste dumping?

Mining Waste Management Policy Vital

Fabian Hakalits | EMTV News

A legal policy framework to guide developers in the mine, oil and petroleum sector, will be developed to protect land from environmental impacts.

The waste management policy will be developed specifically for mines, operating in Papua New Guinea.

This set of new laws will regulate the management of waste in a more suitable and environmentally-friendly way.

According to Secretary of the Mineral Policy and Geo-hazards Management Department, Shadrack Himata, Papua New Guinea has no Waste Management Law, a guide for mine operators and developers, operating within Papua New Guinea’s jurisdiction.

Since the first mine in Papua New Guinea, the famous Panguna Mine in the then North Solomon’s Province, there has never been a law on waste management and disposal of mine tailings.

On June 2013, EMTV News queried this particular issue, on which Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Dr Eric Kua said: “Since mining activities begun in the 70’s, only guidelines have been applied to protect the environment and was to change.”

The process in enacting this law to regulate mining tailing activities was discussed earlier in 2013 that reviewed laws relating to management and disposals.

Himata, admits there has been no law on waste management, and only guidelines were used.

A concern was raised by this media, how landowner’s rights and losses will be protected once this law is effective.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed today in Port Moresby, for the development of a Waste Management Policy, is the outcome of many consultation meetings.

A deal was signed between Mineral Policy and Geo-hazards Management Department, Conservation Environment Protection Authority, formally known as the Environment and Conservation Department, Mineral Resources Authority and JICA, to develop a policy framework for waste management on the disposal of tailings.

Reviews by the Mineral Policy and Geo-hazards Management Department, showed PNG lacked comprehensive policies and regulation frameworks to control increasing mining activities in the country, resulting in considerable amount of mine pollution affecting surrounding environments in mining areas.

PNG currently has nine operating mines and these mines have their fair share of contribution in terms of mine wastes whether generated from the mine or industrial waste from fuel; that needs to be managed well.

And people, particularly landowners, have raised these concerns over times like in the Ramu Nico in Madang, OK Tedi in Western and the list goes on. Panguna is a learning experience.

Conservation Environment Protection Authority, Managing Director Gunther Joku, said the development of this new law is a new beginning, for authorities to operate in a sustainable and well management environment.

The environment is a priority and JICA is partnering with PNG to control mine waste management in the country.

Chief Representative, Shigeru Sugiyama, said technical cooperation will ensure development of PNG’s strategic waste management law for the mining sector was economically stable and environmentally responsible.

Himata told EMTV News, the five year project will see the development of the law. Building capacity and adopting technologies that will improve protection.

Who will benefit from PNG’s Review of Mining laws?

Is the review of Mining Laws in PNG being done to boost the profits of foreign mining companies or benefit the people of PNG? If it were the latter surely a comprehensive review of the social, financial and environmental costs and benefits of existing and expired mines would be the proper place to start?

Review of mining laws

The National aka The Loggers Times

Laws governing Papua New Guinea’s mining, mining safety and mineral policy legislations are being reviewed to deal with global competition.
A major awareness drive is being planned for the Highlands, Momase and Southern regions from August 13 to 23 for public consultation before the review is finalised.
The Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management (DMPG) is reviewing the principal policies and legislations, including the Mining Act 1992, Mining Safety Act 1997 and Mineral Policy.
Secretary Shadrach Himata said it would include the development of new mining sector policies to develop a globally competitive mineral policy and legislative framework.
He said the review would summarise the evolving trends in the mining industry at both the international and domestic stage, while ensuring a stable regime to encourage progress and development for the state and the people of PNG.