Porgera in Papua New Guinea's Enga Province is beset with more tribal violence, with six people reportedly killed on Wednesday.
The National newspaper says schools and businesses have been shut amid what has been called "guerilla warfare."
The head of a land owner association, Timothy Andambo, described it as like ethnic cleansing.
Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
He said they are in fear for their lives with community leaders, women and children. having been killed.
Andambo told the newspaper the fighting, which has been going on for four years, is over a Digicel network grid tower, but had spread all over the district.
His colleague Joe Kuala said the safety of the people and the Porgera mine were a concern.
He said before the government can restart the mine, it must address the issue on the ground.
Barrick Gold, which is set to recommence running the mine after a two year hiatus over lease disputes, said it was hoping to start operations before the end of this year.