The Union of Watut River
Communities Association Incorporated, a Community Based Organization that deals
with Mining Impact, Environment and Community Development since 2009 based in
Bulolo District of Morobe Province has welcome the report conducted by the
National Research Institute to review and assess benefit-sharing arrangements
of large-scale Mining Activities in Wau-Bulolo.
UoWRCA Inc President, Mr.
Reuben Mete thanks Bulolo District Bulolo Joint District Planning and Budget
Priorities Committee (JDP&BPC) under the chairmanship of the Member for
Bulolo, Hon. Sam Basil for commissioning of such vital studies into the
district with the view to assess the
benefits flow from the Hidden Valley Mine and its impact on the development
within the mine impact communities and the broader Bulolo District specific in
that the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) which is undergoing review.
Mete said the study has put to
light some assumptions the communities has in question the sustainable
development model used by mining companies such as that of the Hidden Valley -
a joint-venture company owned equally by Harmony Gold Mining Company of South
Africa and Newcrest Mining Limited of Australia. Despite having benefits,
especially mining royalties, from the Hidden Valley gold mining project flow to
the National Government, Provincial Government, Local-Level governments and
host land owners, communities living out of mine and out of sight who were not
party to the MOA has seen minimum benefits compare to international standards
and guidelines and has nothing to show for but only negative impacts of socio –
economy and environment.
“We are now calling on the
Member for Bulolo, Morobe Provincial Government and the Respective Government
agencies such as the Department of Mining and Mineral Resources Authority to
seriously look into the five (5) findings and recommendations put forward by
the NRI report and find amicable ways to address it,” Mete said.
Mete also calls for an
inclusion of the communities along Labu, Wampar, Lower Watut and Middle Watut
to be included in the benefit sharing agreements in the current reviewed MOA.
He said the Organization has made commitments to disseminate the copies of the
studies to the communities living along Watut and Markham River so that they
can have access, be informed and made informed decisions for the sake of our
future generation. Mete said an Awareness Exercise and Community Empowerment
Plan has already been put forward and will commence mid this month to end of
next month.
