Illegal miners attack Porgera mine
By PATRICK TALU
THE mining operation at the open pit mine at the world class Porgera Gold Mine has been halted after a large group of illegal miners invaded the mine overnight attacking workers and damaging equipment. Barrick Gold Ltd, who operate the mine under the Porgera Joint Venture (PJV), announced yesterday that it is reviewing security operations at the Porgera gold mine after the illegal miners intruded the mine. The mine management reported that yesterday during the early hours, over 1200 illegal miners unlawfully entered the Open Pit mining area, where they violently confronted PJV mine workers. Barrick said the mine workers were attacked by the illegal miners with three mine workers held and several others injured. Management reports that mining operations in the Open Pit have been halted until the safety of mine personnel can be assured. “We have reported this serious incident to the Government and to the police – we are calling on them to act swiftly to restore law and order in Porgera,” Mine Manager Greg Walker said. Enga Governor Peter Ipatas late last night condemned the action of the illegal miners saying “it is not the SML landowners from reports provided. These are illegal miners from outside who cannot jeopardise the public interest.” “This cannot be tolerated and continue to allow illegal miners to jeopardise a mine that is the major revenue earner for the country. “Illegal miners are illegal. We will have to work out a strategy to contain this and I would like to call on the National Government to send a Defence force platoon or a police contingent to contain this,” Governor Ipatas said last night. |