Papua New Guinea has refused an application to extend mining at Barrick Gold’s Porgera gold mine, Prime Minister James Marape said on Friday.
The decision, which would have extended by 20 years Barrick’s rights, was based on the recommendation of the country’s mining advisory committee, Marape said in a statement.
"In the best interests of the state, especially in lieu of the environmental damages, claims and resettlement issues, the Special Mining Lease will not be renewed," he said.
Barrick had been set to elevate the troubled mine to its top-tier assets, despite landowner and government demands to cede a larger stake and deteriorating security at the joint venture with China’s Zijin Mining.