By Miriam Zarriga
Copyright postcourier
The Special Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform and Service Delivery is holding a public hearing into the sector, focusing on challenges and opportunities in alluvial gold mining. Key issues include foreign involvement, weak regulatory frameworks, and the social impact on communities that depend on the activity for income.
The Committee sits today at the State Function Room at 10am.
Chairman of the Committee and Governor for Northern Gary Juffa has always been vocal in his concerns of businesses in PNG which are marked for the people of the country.
In the recent Parliament session he questioned why the relevant agencies, including the Police, Labour, Immigration, Mining, and Commerce, were doing to address the issue of alluvial mining activities.
“The once restricted activities for nationals have been taken over by some expatriates. What is happening in this regard with this particular business?
“Statistics indicate that alluvial gold production, indicate that there’s been a drop in exports. The only conclusion is that there’s significant gold being smuggled out of the country.
The inquiry aims to ensure the sector is better managed, with benefits reaching local landowners and the national economy.
The inquiry scope will include:
* The lack of access to finance for local miners and the role of customary land.
* Governance, regulation, and enforcement mechanisms.
* The impact of illegal foreign involvement and gold smuggling.
* The effectiveness of existing policy frameworks, including those of the Mineral Resources
Authority (MRA).
* Recommendations for practical, enforceable solutions and reforms.
