A news report on EMTV further emphasises how PNGs current development model, based on large-scale mining and other resource explotation is failing to raise the living stanadrds of ordinary people.

While we don't agree with the reporters characterisation of PNG as a third-world nation and challenge Western perceptions of poverty based merely on disposable income, the video does make clear that a change od direction is needed. 

The government is carrying out a review of PNG's Mining Legislation.

As part of that process the Mineral Resource Authority is holding a series of regional workshops to gauge the views of stakeholders.

Below are the various background documents, reduced into slide presentations, from those workshops. The MRA advises that the actual draft review document will become available for final comments in 3 months time.

Last Thursday two groups of people came head to head over who really owns the land area on which the former Milinat plantation was on.

Mabonob villagers clashed with some settlers brought on the land by claimant Sali Tagau.

The villagers carried placards calling for the arrest of Mr Tagau and blaming the PMIZ for provoking this fight. The Mabonob villagers said, “this land ownership title is being disputed in court and several restraining orders have been issued to Mr Tagau but he continues to ignore these orders.”

“He must be arrested,” they said.

By Online Editor

An NGO activist in the country has called for a total ban on the Deep Sea Tailing Placement system by mining companies operating in Papua New Guinea.

"They said the company (Nautilus) sent them, and if we don't sign then we'll loose our chances of getting the benefits from the project. We didn't agreed to this Experimental Seabed Mining to happen, what makes them think we'll agree to move away from our village that we've lived in for centuries?" said a Danu Village Clan Leader.

By Junior Ukaha

The PNG Eco-Forestry Forum (PNGEFF) wants the Government to speed up the report of an inquiry into the special agricultural business leases (SABL).

PNGEFF communications manager Samson Mark yesterday said affected landowners and the general public wanted to know the status of the inquiry as it has taken more than two years to have a final report ready.

Post Courier Editorial

THE revelations from research by the James Cook University on oil palm being used by developers as a cover for logging should not come as a surprise to Papua New Guineans.

The controversy relating to the Government’s Special Agriculture and Business Lease (SABL) is well documented in PNG, compelling the government of then acting Prime Minister Sam Abal in 2011 and a year later PM Peter O’Neill to support and establish a commission of inquiry.