Lead objector to Barrick’s application for SML renewal turned down
By KEVIN TEME
Chairman of Justice Foundation for Pogera, a not for profit organisation, Jonathan Paraia, who is the lead objector to Barrick (Niugini) Limited’s application for renewal on all its mining tenements in relation to Pogera Gold Mine, was turned down from giving his speech during the Mine Warden hearing in Pogera on Monday.z
It is believed Paraia was in the stage of explaining the majority of the landowners’ stance as to why Barrick should not be granted its application for extension of the Special Mining Lease (SML) and other related tenements when he was deliberately told to stop by the Mine Warden.
The Mine Warden at that time was Andrew Gunua from Mineral Resource Authority (MRA), the relevant statutory regulatory authority that regulates the Mining Industry in the country. An attempt made to get in touch with the Mine Warden Andrew Gunua, MRA and Barrick representatives as to why Paraia, the lead objector of the SML was stopped during his speech was unsuccessful.
It is believed that majority of the landowners of the 24 SML clans and their agents who represents all landowners of Pogera SML area have objected that Barrick (Niugini) Limited will not renew its SML and other tenements. Barrick’s SML expires in August this year but it is believed the company has sent their applications to MRA for renewal.
Meanwhile, a text message received from one of the Mining Resource Authority representative stated that Paraia could not be allowed to continue to talk on that day because he got his lawyer to talk.
“ It is against the Mining Act 1992 section 108 sub section (a) and (c) for another person other than landowners themselves to talk during the warden hearing. Sub section 2 (a) and (C) talks about identifying landowners at the hearing, assess and record views of landowners.”
The Mine Warden, Gunua in his response to one of the journalist that responded to this argument posted on social media stated that, “the lawyer is not a landowner and he was identified at the hearing as such. That is why Paraia could not be allowed to continue his speech.”
“Furthermore, Justice Foundation Chairman Jonathan Paraia was given the opportunity to speak during the hearing however he abused the opportunity by speaking out of the intent of the hearing and provoked the other landowners.”
“The intent was for him (Paraia) to raise his views as to the work program for each tenement as explained by the developer,” Gunua stated in his response to the journalist (named), which the journalist posted on facebook.
It further stated that as a result the Warden (Gunua) intervened to control Paraia even before he got his lawyer to talk.
Paraia when asked about this said the whole scenario was a set up by Barrick to disturb the objections and views made by the majority of the landowners.
“I represent the majority, 17 SML Agents out of the 24. The hearing today (on Monday) was for the Mine warden to hear the objectors’ views and not the parties that are in support of Barrick for its extension of SML license,” Paraia said.
“The Mine Warden has failed his part and has compromised by allowing the other parties including Barrick’s senior community affairs Manager Timothy Andambo and others who were in support of Barrick to have more time to speak while I as the lead objector was turned down and not given enough time to explain why we, the majority of the landowners have objected for Barrick to renew its SML license. Even the microphone I was using to talk was put off,” Paraia said.
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