"Environmental activist questions bid to reopen Tolukuma Gold Mine", 21 August 2021

A LOCAL woman leader and environmental activist is querying the  bid by a local gold mining company Lole Mining Limited  to revive and operate 100 percent of Tolukuma Gold Mine for K50 million  in the Goilala district of Central province.

“Who owns this local mining company – Lole Mining Limited and; on what grounds has the liquidator given in recommending this company to acquire 100 percent of the Tolukuma Gold Mine?” a concerned Matilda Koma raised the questions this week.

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According to Mr Garry the new investor is a local company on the PNG list of Companies and has an association with operators abroad with the capacity and expertise to operate the mine.

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“Many environmental and social concerns were not properly addressed and no compensation at all was paid for environmental damages and negligence acts by the former developers. Tolukuma Gold Mine has liabilities which is valued well would be higher than what the liquidator is recommending to MRA for reopening of the mine with K50 million and payment of liabilities (K15 million).

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