Porgera Mine Working with UN and Enga Provincial Government to Provide Humanitarian Aid to Violence-Stricken Province

Rhea-AI Summary

New Porgera (NPL) is collaborating with the UN and Enga Provincial Government to provide humanitarian aid to the conflict-affected Porgera Valley in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province. A donor assessment team will visit Porgera to evaluate the situation, with NPL providing logistical support. The violence reportedly stemmed from a dispute between illegal miners.

NPL has been assisting with disaster relief efforts since the Mulitaka landslide on May 24. Barrick Gold and Zijin Mining Group, joint venture partners in Barrick Niugini (part-owner of NPL), donated $1 million for relief. NPL has provided food, shelter, and essential items to affected families, as well as infrastructure support including fencing a health center, repairing a school, and establishing a temporary fuel pipeline.

NPL is also working on completing a permanent bypass road to restore full access for the Porgera community.

Positive

• Joint venture partners Barrick Gold and Zijin Mining donated $1 million for disaster relief
• NPL providing logistical support for humanitarian assessment and aid
• NPL assisting with infrastructure improvements and essential supplies for affected communities

Negative

• Ongoing tribal violence in the Porgera Valley affecting operations and community
• Mulitaka landslide on May 24 disrupted access to the Porgera community

Insights

Financial Analyst

This news, while humanitarian in nature, has direct financial impact on Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX). The $1 million donation, shared between Barrick and Zijin Mining Group, is relatively small considering Barrick's financial scale. However, the company's proactive involvement in disaster relief could potentially strengthen its social license to operate in Papua New Guinea, which is important for the Porgera mine's long-term success. The mine's reopening, initially planned for Q4 2023, might face delays due to the ongoing tribal violence, potentially impacting near-term revenue projections. Investors should monitor the situation closely, as prolonged instability could affect the mine's production timeline and Barrick's future cash flows from this asset.

Mining Industry Expert

New Porgera 's (NPL) involvement in humanitarian efforts showcases a commendable approach to corporate social responsibility in a challenging environment. The company's swift response to the Mulitaka landslide and current tribal conflicts demonstrates its commitment to community welfare, which is important in maintaining positive relationships with local stakeholders. This proactive stance could prove beneficial when negotiating future mining rights or expansions. However, the ongoing violence highlights the operational risks associated with mining in politically unstable regions. The need for an air bridge and temporary fuel pipeline indicates significant logistical challenges that could impact operational efficiency and costs. The situation underscores the importance of robust risk management strategies for mining companies operating in volatile areas.

Geopolitical Risk Analyst

The tribal violence in Porgera Valley presents a complex geopolitical challenge for Barrick Gold and its partners. While NPL's humanitarian efforts are laudable, they also highlight the fragile security situation in the region. The escalation from a dispute between illegal miners to widespread community conflict reveals underlying tensions that could pose long-term risks to mining operations. The involvement of the UN and provincial government in the crisis committee suggests the severity of the situation. This collaborative approach might help mitigate immediate risks, but investors should be wary of the potential for recurring instability. The incident underscores the need for mining companies to invest in comprehensive community engagement and conflict resolution strategies to ensure sustainable operations in politically sensitive areas.

All amounts expressed in US$

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE:GOLD) (TSX:ABX) – New Porgera Limited (NPL) said today it is working with the United Nations (UN) and Enga Provincial Government (EPG) as part of an ad hoc crisis committee to assist with humanitarian aid to the conflict-ridden Porgera Valley in Papua New Guinea’s Enga Province.

Following the committee’s first meeting this Tuesday, it was agreed that a donor assessment team would travel to Porgera to make a first-hand assessment of the situation and community needs. NPL is providing logistical support, including a helicopter, to make this visit possible.

According to Papua New Guinea’s Mineral Resource Authority managing director Jerry Garry, the wide-spread tribal violence in the area initially started in a dispute between two illegal miners from the Kandep and Laiagam districts which quickly escalated into local villages and the wider community.

NPL has been assisting the national Papua New Guinea government and EPG with disaster relief efforts since the deadly Mulitaka landslide on May 24 this year. NPL community relations officers were among the first on the ground after the landslide struck and have been assisting the UN and other agencies since. Senior NPL executives were also seconded to the Enga Provincial Disaster Management Committee to assist with relief work.

Barrick Gold Corporation and Zijin Mining Group – the 50:50 joint venture partners in Barrick Niugini Limited, part-owner of NPL with the government owning the rest – jointly donated $1 million to the relief while NPL donated food, temporary shelter and other essential items to afflicted families.

Other relief measures undertaken by the mine include fencing the Mulitaka Health Centre; repairing and reinforcing the Mulitaka High School for the temporary accommodation of disaster relief teams; donating mattresses and bedding for police; establishing a temporary fuel pipeline, helicopter air bridge and working with the Porgera Chamber of Commerce to provide much-needed fuel and supplies to the community. NPL is also working with the Government to complete a permanent bypass road that will restore the full access for the Porgera community that was cut off by the landslide.

Barrick enquiries

 

Investor and media relations
Kathy du Plessis
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: barrick@dpapr.com

Website: www.barrick.com

FAQ

What is New Porgera (NPL) doing to address the humanitarian crisis in Porgera Valley?

NPL is working with the UN and Enga Provincial Government to provide humanitarian aid, offering logistical support for assessment teams, donating essential supplies, and assisting with infrastructure improvements in the affected areas.

How much did Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) and its partner donate for disaster relief in Papua New Guinea?

Barrick Gold and Zijin Mining Group, joint venture partners in Barrick Niugini , jointly donated $1 million for disaster relief efforts in the Porgera Valley region.

What caused the recent conflict in the Porgera Valley where Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) operates?

According to Papua New Guinea's Mineral Resource Authority, the widespread tribal violence in the Porgera Valley initially started as a dispute between two illegal miners from different districts, which quickly escalated to involve local villages and the wider community.

How is New Porgera addressing the access issues caused by the Mulitaka landslide?

NPL is working with the government to complete a permanent bypass road that will restore full access for the Porgera community, which was cut off by the Mulitaka landslide on May 24, 2024.