Lihir Tenement Association supports Mining Bill

The Lihir Tenement Association, which speaks for the traditional landowners of Lihir Island, supports the new Mining Bill 2025.

The Association is happy about the important changes in the Bill, especially the new rules for resettlement and the increase in royalty payments from 2% to 5%. They say these changes were needed a long time ago.

Chairman Newman Sana says these changes are not only justiciable but essential in restoring fairness, dignity, and long-term security to resource-owning communities across PNG, especially those living in remote islands like Lihir.

“As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary, this landmark legislation is a timely and bold statement of intent – that the next 50 years must prioritize sustainable development, equitable wealth distribution, and the empowerment of landowners,” Sana said.

The Lihir Tenement Association said in a statement that the proposed Mining Bill 2025 shows it understands the big contribution and sacrifices made by host communities. They believe the bill answers years of calls for fairer treatment, proper relocation, and real involvement in sharing the benefits from the resources taken from their land.

Chairman Sana says they believe that the proposed royalty increases are not excessive, as it is a reflection of the true value of the minerals taken from their land and seas.

He says this increase will support education, infrastructure, health services and other needs.

The Association thanked the Government and the people who wrote the Bill for their vision. It said that, for a long time, there have been no clear rules for resettlement, which has made landowners easy to move without fair payment, proper planning, or support.

Meanwhile, all members of parliament have been urged to stand with the landowners to ensure the Bill is passed without delay.