http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120224/frhome.htmThe Mining Act...

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120224/frhome.htm

The Mining Act will be reviewed with the view to increase landowner participation in mining projects in the country, Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has promised.
Speaking at a meeting in Parliament on Wednesday in which Department of Mining officials made presentations to highlight impediments the industry would face if the Boka Konda Bill became a law, Mr Namah led a chorus of calls from MPs and other participants at the meeting for increased landowner participation.
Mr Namah said he would support the bill and called on proponents and critics of the bill to work together so the final form that goes to Parliament is acceptable to all the players.
“A review of the Mining Act is long overdue.
“Landowners should not be mere rent and royalty takers. They should be a major partner in the extraction of resources from their land. This can be achieved through the production sharing arrangement that is working well in many countries,” Mr Namah said.
Mr Namah said the notion that the Bill would scare away investors was nonsense.
He gave Trinidad as an example, where oil giant BP protested the introduction of production sharing arrangement and left, warning no investors would go to invest there under that regime.
The Chinese and French moved in, and the country is now enjoying the benefits of the production sharing arrangement.
“People say the bill would scare away investors. Those who want to leave can leave. There will be others lining up at the door to replace them,” Mr Namah said.
He urged MP Boka Konda to look at 49/51 production sharing arrangement, with landowners taking up 49 per cent with the support of the Government.
He said the issue of exploration and sunk costs should not be considered impediments, as that would be shared by all partners.
Mr Namah, who is Minister for Forest and Climate Change, said similar change to increase landowner participation would be brought to the forest industry.
Mr Kondra has three bills on the Notice Paper. They are the Mining (amendment bill) Act, the Land (amendment) Bill 2012, and the Oil and Gas Amendment Bill 2012.