PNG POST-COURIER | 1 October 2017
“The issue of benefits has been one of the main concerns of the leaders of both New Ireland and East New Britain who were inolwara Port Moresby last week to witness the trials being conducted on the Nautilus Minerals Inc’s mining equipment .
For the ENB delegation the issue had been raised by Florence Paisparea who is the forest and environmental coordinator of the ENB provincial administration. Nautilus Minerals Inc vice president for the Papua New Guinea operations, Adam Wright said unlike the traditional land-based mines, the foot print of the Solwara One project, would be quite small and likewise the benefits.
Mr Wright said employment would be limited as the firm will be employing about 200 people compared to Newcrest Lihir’s 3000.
He said other spin-off business would also be limited as its operations would be out at sea and there would not need services including buses, security and laundry services all associated with the land-based mines.
Mr Wright said it had already begun implementing this project especially in the coastal areas along the West Coast of New Ireland in the coastal areas of benefits (CAB) ahead of production.”
