The contentious Porgera Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea is on track to resume operations later this year after the PNG Government and Barrick Niugini Limited (BNL) agreed on a partnership for its future ownership and operation.
The Porgera mine has been on care and maintenance since April 2020 when the government declined to renew its special mining lease.
The closure of the mine had been a blow to the national economy, businesses and the landowners of Pogera. This is the second largest mine in Papua New Guinea and is regarded as one of the world’s top ten producing gold mines.
Despite the economic benefit provided by the Porgera Mines, there are other issues that make this venture very challenging. The mine has consistently been criticised for environmental and human rights issues.