theangle.org

The body of Gibson Umbi, 15 year old local illegal miner.

By the NewsHooker

Security guards in the PNG Porgera valley have been accused of killings, assaults and the burning of villages in the name of Barrick gold.

On and around April 28th, PNG Police are alleged to have beaten local miners and their families, burning dwellings to the ground in a six-week crack down at the mine.

Locals also claim in the early hours of July 24 2008 15-year-old local boy Gibson Umbi was shot as he was chased off the special mining lease by security.

“He ran into his village was shot 3 times and died soon after” said community leader Mark Ekepa. “Locals and family members witnessed an autopsy where the bullets were retrieved from the body.”

Gibson was the most recent in what are claimed to be up to 56 violent acts carried out by police and security at the Barrick mine.

Mine fosters black market

Mining operations began in 1990 and violence and crime soon followed.

The venture, operated by Placer Dome at the time, attracted tens of thousands of internal migrants and helped to foster a black market in guns, drugs, mercury and stolen gold.

Prior to the opening of the mine, locals survived by a combination of subsistence farming and alluvial mining in a region described as a pristine environment. However locals now say their water is tainted and farming lands have been lost to mining tailings and landslips.

Illegal Miners risk exposure to chemicals.

By continuing the generational practice of alluvial mining villagers are now said to be behaving illegally. Outsiders arrive by the day to bolster their numbers and this brings the attention of Barrick security backed by National PNG police.

In April a six-week state of emergency was declared, with 200 extra police sent to the region. Police razed the homes of alleged illegal miners, according to locals, and theangle.org has obtained access to images of the burning houses.

Village burns after police intervention.In this operation police razed the homes of alleged illegal miners.The angle has access to images of the burning houses.

Activists claim as many as 235 homes were destroyed in the action including the house of chairman of the Porgera Landowners Association Mark Ekepa and his five children.

Mr Ekepa says “families have practised alluvial mining there for generations” and asked, “If Barrick are so concerned about the illegal mining why do they not agree to the relocation?” he told theangle.org.

“They are spending millions on security fence fit for Guantanamo Bay with cameras and towers, this money could be used for relocation,” he said.

Barrick denies responsibility for destroying homes and any deaths and says that many of the actions the activists allege occurred before it took control of the mine in 2006.

As locals proceed through the PNG courts in the hope of relocation, Barrick seeks a restraining order for (SML) landholders and tensions are rising noticeably. An ultimatum given to the government by locals on September 25th has been extended by another 30 days to late October when local residents plan a peaceful sit in.

Fears are held as to how police and security will react if the sit in does eventuate.