The New Porgera Limited (NPL) saw its first gold production yesterday, marking the start of productions under the new Special Mining Lease (SML) 13 agreement that should see better benefits received especially for the local beneficiaries, in the next 20 years of mine- life. Prime Minister (PM) James Marape was there to witness the first doré bar come out of the production room with the name New Porgera Limited sealed on it and numbered NPL 0001. Marape, in a press conference after his visit to the mine in Porgera, said it was a long road to finally get to this point; about three years and ten months, but he said efforts by his government had to be made to ensure a fair deal was struck between the developer and the local beneficiaries, which included the landowners, the Enga Provincial Government, the Porgera District Administration and the State. “Finding the fine balance was a key focus since 2019. Many complained, many thought we will not see Porgera produce gold again, but today (Friday 23rd February) we witnessed the pouring of gold for the first time,” said the prime minister. However, Marape said the mine is under 50% productivity at the moment and by July, it is expected to ramp up productivity to 100%. The PM also said that the continuity of the New Porgera mine will now depend on the full cooperation from all stakeholders under the new SML 13, which he said was negotiated to ensure to get the best return for the local beneficiaries. “The provincial government has given the endorsement to the New Porgera SML 13. SML 13 has features that was never featured in SML 1.” “You have the environment issues built into SML 13, you have the resettlement of the mine precinct villages built in to the SML 13 requirements. There are also greater cognition to the fact of social obligation we owe to mine affected areas, including the host province Enga.” Under SML 13, the mine will operate for 20 years with the Stated having the option to buy it off from Barrick in 10 years’ time, should the government wish to do so. Also, under SML 13, 51% of equity will go to local beneficiaries and 49% to investment partners. This is a massive change compared to the previous SML 1 where 95% went to investment partners and 5% to Papua New Guinea beneficiaries. Marape added that the mine looks promising to even operate beyond 20 years, especially with the amount of gold still left in the valley, which should continue to give better returns on investment to the country and the people. “On an average of possibly 400, 000 to 500, 000 ounces of gold a year in New Porgera, it stands to be a massive gold production that will service our economy,” Marape said. Meanwhile, the PM thanked Barrick Gold, the Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, and all the stakeholders who have worked so hard for almost four years to reopen the mine and to eventually reach the first gold production.