Armed police have been flown to Papua New Guinea's Lihir gold mine to protect mining company assets as workers continue a strike over terms and conditions.
The strike by Lihir Gold workers is in its fourth day at the island mine.
Negotiations continued between mine management and representatives of the 3,500 strong workforce, with PNG Labour Department officials flown in by helicopter to assist with the talks.
The government flew armed police to Lihir Island from Port Moresby on Saturday to guard company assets.
A former prime minister, Sir Julius Chan, who was recently elected as governor of New Ireland Province which includes Lihir, is also expected to fly in to hear workers' grievances.
The mining minister Puka Temu has called on workers and management to amicably resolve their issues.
