Landowners threaten to shut Ok Tedi mine
Landowners near BHP's giant Ok Tedi gold and copper mine have threatened to close the mine if the Papua New Guinea government does not agree to review an agreement between the state and landowners by the end of January, the National newspaper reported on January 20. The agreement, signed in 1991, provides for benefits to flow to the landowners from the state. There is supposed to be a review of the agreement every five years, but Port Moresby has not honoured its obligations.
Not only is the review three years' overdue, but many of the promised benefits have not been delivered.
Borok Pitalok, the landowners' spokesperson, said on January 19 that villagers would force the closure of the mine if the Department of Mineral Resources does not come to the negotiating table by the end of the month. The mine has a remaining life span of less than nine years.
“The mine on our land has served the country and the government well, and they cannot play around with us like this”, Pitalok said.
The landowners' move is being supported by the Fly River provincial government. Governor Nobert Makmop said any action the landowners take would have his full blessing.