Hidden Valley mine MoA reviewed

A Memorandum of Agreement review of the Hidden Valley mine is underway in Lae, Morobe Province.
The context of the review is likely to be the ongoing review of the MoA for mining projects in the country, conducted by the Mineral Resource Authority.

Bulolo District Administrator Joseph O’Brian Paru, during his presentation, called for an increase in royalty, stating their issues need to be resolved to be able to draw up a good working MoA.

Vice Minister for Mining and Bulolo MP Sam Basil Jr requested that the Bulolo DDA and Wau Waria DDA be included as signatories to the MoA.

Basil Jnr said this should be applied in other Mining Agreements as per the Organic law on Provincial and Local Level Governments and the Mining Act, the Hidden Valley Mining Lease should be a Special Mining Lease, the national government to incorporate the supplementary agreement signed between Morobe Provincial Government and Bulolo DDA as part of the main agreement.

New provisions, such as the inclusion of Wau Waria District, equity, environment levy, and infrastructure development grants be included in the MOA, and the new provisions suggested in the MOA to be considered.

Basil said, “This is just a summary of Bulolo’s position that’s already communicated to the Minister for Mining and responsible Ministers and Department and agency heads on the 6th of March 2025.”

Mining Provincial Chairman Waka Daimon supported the Bulolo MP, emphasizing that impacted districts must be at the forefront of discussions of issues of mining activities.

Morobe Provincial Member Luther Wenge clarified the current distribution of royalty, saying Morobe receives 36 per cent.

“From the 36 percent, 9 percent is for two mining districts each, Wau and Bulolo.”

“Then the 5 percent will be for Menyamya because they’re partly impacted, 7 percent for education, and 6 percent for church (Babafi).”