MRA Condemns Attack on Mine Workers

PORT MORESBY: The Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) has condemned the killing of a Chinese national, and the wounding of another Chinese man, at an Alluvial Mining site in the Wau-Waria District of Morobe Province on July 28, 2024.

The incident which also resulted in the burning down of two excavators, happened at the Kilolo Bridge outside of Wau town, on Mining Lease for Alluvial Purposes (ML460), operated by Mi-Do Mining Company Limited (MiDo). The deceased and the wounded worker were both employed by the operator.

It is alleged that the perpetrators were a group of descendants of Tribute Block Holders, who claim to have mining rights over the old lease, which has now been converted to ML 460 . The tribute block holders were miners brought in during the colonial mining days from all parts of PNG, to be tributers under ML 460 and nearby mining leases, when these leases were held by Goldfields (PNG) Limited.

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