Guys - have stumbled across this article which gives a positive...

Guys - have stumbled across this article which gives a positive outlook that the PNG government are keen to progress Mt Kare into production.


http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120516/business05.htm

Mt Kare land survey probe on

The National Government through Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) has urged the people of Mt Kare to cooperate with the developer of Mt Kare project Summit Development Limited (SDL) so that the company can successfully roll out its Land Investigation Survey (LIS).

The company is in the process of carrying out an LIS to update and verify reports from an earlier survey to establish who the landowners of Mt Kare Project are.
The findings of this report will then be given to the government as part of the company’s pre feasibility study report. A state team comprising MRA, National Department of Health (NDOH), Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (NEC) and Department Mineral Policy and Geoharzard Management (DMPGM), was at Mt Kare last week to show the government’s support for the survey and the Mt Kare project.
The State team leader John Ipidari of MRA appealed to the people of Mt Kare and surrounding areas to support the efforts of the SDL and not to disturb the LIS process and the exploration project. Mr Ipidari said that the LIS was in their (people’s) interest as it would contribute to the project’s future development in terms of advancing into mining stage from exploration, adding that when the company goes into mining, they would see benefits. He urged the people to cooperate with the SDL project by providing necessary information to the consultant which had been engaged by SDL to carry out the investigation.
Mr Ipidari told the people that the government would support the study efforts in whatever way it could but they (people) must also play their part in making correct information available to the consultants. The State team leader stressed the importance of peace in the area especially when the study is being conducted.
Country manager for SDL George Niumataiwalu told the people that the survey was an important exercise as its results would determine how benefits would be shared and between which groups of people, when mining began. He said the completion of the survey would also enable the company to finalise compensation agreement and also to localize plans and start recruiting landowners to work for the company.

Gabriel Lembopa and Tobias Iyupa of Pakeya-Umbi clan and Pakeya Alian clans respectively, said they were happy that the SDL was carrying out the survey and that they would support the company in its efforts. Many other locals from Mt Kare, Komoko, Ekanda, Paijaka, Andita, and Politila also expressed similar sentiments.