16 Apr 2021

PNG goes with the devil it knows over large gold mine

From , 6:02 am on 16 April 2021

Papua New Guinea's government has reached agreement with Canada-based company Barrick Gold on plans to reopen the Porgera mine.

The Enga province mine closed a year ago when PNG's government denied Barrick and its joint venture partner in Barrick Niugini Ltd, Zijin Mining of China, a renewed mining lease.

After months of difficult negotiations, a deal has been forged between the resource-rich Pacific nation and the forces of global capital, giving PNG majority ownership of the mine.

Johnny Blades reports

Aerial view of the Porgera gold mine.

Aerial view of the Porgera gold mine. Photo: Zijin Mining