Pacific / Papua New Guinea

PNG gold mine shut down after landslide

12:45 pm on 23 March 2016

Reports from Papua New Guinea say the mining firm Barrick Niugini has suspended its operations at Porgera in Enga province following last week's big landslide.

The landslide which buried 40 homes and destroyed food gardens has cut off road to the gold mine.

Reports say people were able to flee because the landslide was very slow moving and casualties were prevented.

According to The National, Barrick Niugini executive director Greg Walker says the company has also shut down non essential services because of the restricted road access.

It's working with the local authorities to secure the area and make geotechnical asssessments.

Mine employees not involved in essential operations have been stood down until the highway is cleared.

Porgera mine. Photo: wikicommons / Richard Farbellini