Transcript
The Justice Foundation for Porgera group says the mine has caused irreparable environmental damage and human rights abuses.
The group, which claims to represent landowners in the mine area, also accuses Barrick of failing to compensate victims of abuses or to resettle those displaced by the mine's operations.
Its chairman Jonathan Paraia says for almost thirty years the mine has caused many problems for landowners who insist the government should not renew Barrick's permit.
"Because of overwhelming objection from the local community. Because even if they issue the exploration license, physically the landowners will not allow them to explore in their areas. They want Barrick out of Porgera or Papua new Guinea. They want the mine to operate but they want to change the ownership rights."
But the local Lagaip Porgera MP, Tomait Kapili, claims the Justice Foundation for Porgera group does not legally represent landowners, and has poured cold water on its attempts to drive Barrick out.
A member of the government, Mr Kapili says he believes the license will be renewed, but on improved terms for landowners who currently have a 2 percent stake in the mine.
"I'm ready to negotiate with Barrick and ZiJin on those funds, not to accuse them of this and that, and then tell them you've done enough damage, we take over the mine and all that. They have big investment in there, they are not going to move out. None of the allegations have been tested, except for the security guards' harassment of ladies."
Some security personnel employed by Barrick have been implicated in brutal gang rapes of local women and girls, part of a long history of lawlessness around the Porgera mine.
A Barrick spokesperson denied that there have been any credible reports of rapes by its security contractors since the matter was investigated in 2010.
He also denied that the company hadn't fulfilled its commitments to landowners removed from the mine lease area.
"The Porgera Mine pays significant statutory land use compensation to traditional landowners of the land on which the mine is situated. The company notes that this compensation is determined by Government regulation, and that contrary to recent claims, the mine has always complied with its compensation payment obligations."
Regarding Mr Paraia's claim that the mine hasn't produced promised benefits for the local community, Barrick defended its record.
"In addition to providing many thousands of jobs for Porgerans and other Papua New Guineans, the mine has provided funding for the development of critical public infrastructure in Enga and adjacent Provinces throughout its operating life to date."
However, the Justice Foundation of Porgera has indicated it will serve a notice of dispute, and has suggested an independent arbitrator be engaged by the government as it weighs up whether to renew the Porgera Joint Venture's Special Mining Lease agreement which expires next year.
