The revised Community Development Agreement (CDA) for the Hidden Valley Mining Project has been formally signed, paving the way for participating landowners and communities in Morobe Province to access benefits from the gold operation.
Mining Minister Solen Loifa signed the revised CDA on behalf of the State yesterday in Lae. The signing was witnessed by Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita, Bulolo MP Sam Basil Junior, Wau Waria MP Marsh Narawec, Acting Managing Director of the Mineral Resources Authority Harry Kore, representatives of Harmony Gold, the State team, project landowners and affected communities.
The revised agreement brings together the State, mine operator, landowners, and local- and provincial-level governments under a framework designed to distribute development benefits associated with the Hidden Valley operation.
The parties to the CDA are Nakuwi Association Inc., Bulolo Urban Local Level Government, Wau Urban Local Level Government, Watut Rural Local Level Government, Wau Rural Local Level Government, Morobe Provincial Government, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and Morobe Consolidated Goldfields Limited, the company operating the Hidden Valley Mine under Harmony Gold.
At the Aug. 11 signing, three parties — the State, Nakuwi Association Inc. and Morobe Consolidated Goldfields Limited — formally executed the revised agreement.
The remaining five parties are expected to sign after agreement is reached on the redistribution of benefits at the provincial level.
A Provincial Executive Council (PEC) meeting is scheduled to consider the benefit-sharing arrangements, which will determine the distribution of benefits among the relevant local-level governments and the Morobe Provincial Government.
Benefits and development focus
Minister Loifa said the signing represents an important step towards enabling the parties to the CDA to access the benefits provided under the agreement.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Marape-Rosso government, landowners, affected communities and the late former Morobe Governor Luther Wenge, who was described as instrumental in progressing the CDA.
The minister also recognised the support of current Governor Rainbo Paita and the Morobe Provincial Government in bringing the revised agreement to the signing stage.
The CDA is expected to provide a framework through which benefits associated with the Hidden Valley Mine can reach the communities and institutions covered by the agreement.
Loifa urged landowners and communities to use the benefits responsibly and invest them in initiatives that can improve living standards and support sustainable development.
The minister stressed that all parties must take ownership of the CDA and honour their respective commitments under the agreement.
For the Hidden Valley project, the revised CDA provides an important mechanism for strengthening the link between mining activity and local economic and community development, particularly in areas directly affected by the operation.
The agreement also places responsibility on participating parties to ensure that benefits are managed effectively and translated into sustainable outcomes for communities beyond the life of individual mining activities.
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