Wenge sees more mining opportunities

Mining projects and other investment opportunities are ripe in this country which will produce staggering returns if only the bureaucratic red tape process is cut down.

Morobe Governor Luther made these statements when he hailed the success of Australian mining projects in the province and elsewhere in PNG.

Wenge was speaking after visiting the underground mining operation at the Kainantu mine in the Eastern Highlands province recently.

Morobe Province is embarking on more lucrative mining going forward and the Governor was more particular about Australian mining companies operating in the country.

Wenge was speaking after visiting the underground mining operation at the Kainantu mine in the Eastern Highlands province recently.

Morobe Province is embarking on more lucrative mining going forward and the Governor was more particular about Australian mining companies operating in the country.

He also stated that mines and other Australian ventures were successful, noting the support from prominent Australian former politician [Foreign Minister], Julie Bishop, now a business consultant, who was visiting PNG recently.

Julie Bishop is a longstanding close friend of PNG, and Governor Wenge said he had a fantastic discussion with her about future possibilities for more Australian investment, especially in the mining industry in his province.

Governor Wenge said he will be encouraging Prime Minister James Marape to use his leadership skills to speed up the necessary permissions for the Mt Kare mine in Enga, and the Wafi-Golpu [USA/South Africa] gold and copper joint venture in Morobe.

Its anticipated if those mines in Enga and Morobe come into full operations, they will have positive impact on the country's economy.

Wenge further said PNG have some brilliant successes but there can be more if  necessary approvals for the Special Mining Lease for Wafi-Golpu and a new licence for the Australian Summit Gold Ltd project for Mount Klare is fast tracked.

''Let's do away with lengthy delays and make PNG known for efficient procedures that will demonstrate PNG is well and truly open for business,'' said Wenge.

NBC News is yet to get comments from the Mineral Resource Authority