Pacific

PNG governor slams mining company over treatment of locals

08:36 am on 24 December 2013

Papua New Guinea's New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan is calling on the owner and operator of the giant Lihir gold mine to pack up and leave.

The Post Courier reports Sir Julius is sick of the deceit, arrogance and incompetence he says the mining company has demonstrated since it took over Lihir.

Sir Julius says he is upset that Newcrest was not keeping its word to fund the tax credit scheme to implement development projects in New Ireland Province.

He says in 2011 Newcrest promised it would provide 60 million US dollars over five years for the tax credit scheme, for which locals have waited 18 years.

Sir Julius says just as implementation was beginning, the company said the scheme had to be cut back.

He says the way Newcrest has treated the Government and people is "pathetic".