Source: Post Courier

The National Court has declared two special agriculture and business leases (SABL) covering 38,350 hectares of land in the Oro Province null and void and has ordered the Sate to cancel the title deeds.

The orders declaring the two leases null and void were through consent drawn up by the disputing parties and endorsed by the court.

Source: Environmental News

Papua New Guinea's National Court has declared two leases held by Malaysia-based Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) null and void, and ordered the government to cancel the licenses to convert nearly 40,000 hectares of rainforest and community forest for oil palm plantations, reports the Rainforest Action Network (RAN). 

Source: PNG Industry News

SERIOUS issues such as project slowdowns, exploration downturns and workforce reductions are looming as a threat to the PNG mining industry, companies have been warned.

This year’s Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum had the theme of Opportunities Beyond the Boom, yet delegates were painted a stark picture prompted by a drop in commodity prices.

PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum executive director Greg Anderson told delegates that serious pressure had been put on PNG-focused mining companies.

Source: Ramu Nickle

The Lutheran General Synod Meeting in Madang 

Source: The National

BASAMUK landowners fear that red mud from the Ramu NiCo refinery is being washed into their fishing zone and affecting marine life.

Mindre villager Terry Kunning, said fishermen found red mud on their fishing hooks near to where the refinery disposed its tailings.

“I have some samples at home for interested people or authority to see,” he said.

He said the red mud had covered the reefs near his house, causing them to lose their colours and turning white as if they were bleached.

Source: The National

THE Northern government and the landowners of the Collingwood Bay area have cancelled two Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL) through the National Court in Waigani.

Governor Gary Juffa announced that at a media conference in Port Moresby yesterday.

He did not elaborate on the court’s ruling but said Northern was the first province to be successful through the court of law in the cancellation of its SABLs.

Source: PNG Mine watch

The operation of the seabed mining at the Bismark Sea, by Nautilus Minerals Inc, has been getting a negative reception from civil society bodies.

Pacific Civil Society (CSO) including churches, non-government organisations (NGOs), women’s groups, customary landowners and community groups are against the mining, saying it will bring more harm than good.

Source: Rainforest Action Network

High court sides with Indigenous communities in battle over controversial Malaysian palm oil giant’s plan to develop large areas of ancestral territory and pristine forest

Source: Jamie Tanguay - Culture Talk

The call for a new metric

In October 2012, 24,000 people signed a petition to the Papua New Guinea Government against experimental seabed mining.