Mining Minister Hon. Rainbo Paita has taken decisive action to address longstanding grievances surrounding the Kainantu gold project, directing the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) to urgently resolve several critical issues affecting local landowners. The minister's intervention came during a high-level meeting convened at APEC Haus this week, bringing together government officials, mining executives, and landowner representatives.
At the heart of discussions were three pressing matters that have strained relations between stakeholders for years. Minister Paita ordered the immediate resolution of a protracted Land Title Commission (LTC) appeal that has blocked the distribution of K80 million (US$21.6 million) in accrued royalties to rightful beneficiaries. Bilimoia Landowners Association (BLA) Chairman Busa Sio emotionally highlighted the human cost of delays, noting many entitled individuals had died waiting for benefits they never received.
The meeting also addressed the stalled approval of a revised Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between stakeholders. Despite being finalized and signed by parties in 2020, the updated agreement continues to await National Executive Council endorsement, forcing the parties to operate under outdated 2003 terms. Minister Paita committed to securing NEC approval before PNG's Independence Day celebrations on 16 September 2025.
In a unique development, landowners proposed allocating 10% of future royalties as a religious tithe, reflecting the community's Seventh-day Adventist values. Minister Paita praised this faith-based approach to benefit sharing, while MRA Managing Director Jerry Garry confirmed the authority would facilitate necessary approvals provided all compliance requirements are met.
K92 Mining executives, including CEO John Lewins, reaffirmed their support for the resolutions, signaling potential for improved relations between the company and local communities. The outcomes demonstrate the Marape government's stated commitment to ensuring mining benefits reach impacted communities in a timely and transparent manner.