Adyton Resources Corp. has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to restart mining operations at the historic Wapolu Gold Mine on Fergusson Island after successfully completing a mandatory Mining Lease Warden's Hearing, a key step in Papua New Guinea's mining approval process.
The hearing, held on May 21 at the Wapolu exploration camp, forms part of the company's application for a mining lease over the project and is designed to assess community support before a mining lease can be granted.
The process was conducted by senior Mineral Resources Authority mining warden Kopi Wapa and attended by principal landowners, representatives of Adyton, its joint venture partner East Vision Investment Holdings, or EVIH, and provincial government officials.
Following the hearing, the mining warden will submit a report to the Mineral Resources Authority's Mining Advisory Council, which will complete its assessment of the mining lease application.
The Wapolu project is located within Exploration Licence EL 2549 and is the subject of Mining Lease application ML 1390 and Lease for Mining Purposes application LMP 152. The mining lease covers proposed mining and processing activities, while the lease for mining purposes relates to supporting infrastructure such as airstrips.
Adyton Chief Executive Officer Tim Crossley said the successful completion of the hearing represented another major step toward the potential redevelopment of the project.
"In Papua New Guinea, the Warden's Hearing is a critical and mandatory component of the regulatory process, providing local stakeholders and landowners with the opportunity to formally participate in the transition from exploration to mining," Crossley said.
He said the company was encouraged by the support demonstrated by landowners, community representatives and other stakeholders during the hearing process.
"Their support reflects the collaborative relationships Adyton and EVIH have built on Fergusson Island and reinforces the significant opportunity we see in advancing Wapolu and the broader Fergusson Island projects toward development," Crossley said.
The Wapolu project and the neighbouring Gameta licence area are among the most advanced mineral development assets on Fergusson Island and are being progressed through the permitting and development process by Adyton and EVIH.
Louis Wang, project director of EVIH, said the company was pleased with the support shown by the local community.
"We now look forward to working with the community as we transition the project back into a full-scale mining, processing and concentrate export operation," Wang said.
Adyton is focused on advancing gold and copper projects in Papua New Guinea and is working to expand mineral resources at its wholly owned Feni Island project, located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for hosting major gold and copper deposits.
The company said the completion of the Warden's Hearing moves the Wapolu project closer to a potential restart of mining activities, subject to regulatory approvals and the granting of the mining lease.
