THE Justice Foundation for Porgera Ltd special reference in the Supreme Court seeking clarification on land ownership of the Porgera gold mine in Enga, Papua New Guinea had been dismissed due to incompetency.
Justice Foundation for Porgera Ltd had filed an application challenging the constitutionality of section 212B(1) of the Constitution and section 5 of the Mining Act 1992 which gave exclusive ownership of minerals on customary land to the State.
Justice David Cannings on behalf a three-man bench said: “The application is non-compliant with the signing requirements of the rules.
“Strict compliance with the rules is necessary.”
The court had allowed Attorney-General, Barrick (Niugini) Ltd, Lihir Gold Ltd and Ok Tedi Mining Ltd to be parties in this proceeding.