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Australia to fund road clearing to Porgera mine after PNG landslide

Australia stated it would offer A$ 2 million ($ 1.33 million) to Papua New Guinea to bring back road access to the Porgera cash cow, formerly one of the world's largest, and other assistance for survivors after a. deadly landslide in Enga province in May.

7 Australian ministers and the nation's police chief. are in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to hold security and trade talks. in the middle of competition with China for policing ties in the Pacific. Islands, and to underscore Australian humanitarian help. after the disaster last month.

It was moving to see numerous people in such an alarming. scenario, Australia's Minister for Pacific, Pat Conroy, stated. in an ABC Tv interview, after visiting the site with PNG. Defence Minister Billy Joseph and the delegation.

Australia will supply support for health centers, and. education packs for thousands of survivors who must move from. villages where mountainsides collapsed.

PNG had requested A$ 2 million to begin the work to open up. the nationwide highway there to the Porgera cash cow, which is. certainly an extremely essential source of jobs and income for. individuals of Enga province, Conroy stated.

The Porgera mine, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the. landslide, is an underground mine collectively run by Canada's. Barrick Gold (ABX.TO) and China's Zijin Mining Group. ( 601899. SS), with the Papua New Guinea federal government holding a 51%. share.

The mine was re-started this year after being in dispute for. 4 years as PNG sought to boost go back to tribal landowners,. and had actually been anticipated to reach full production this year.

Barrick did not immediately react to a request for. comment.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape said in April the resumed. mine was anticipated to go back to its status as one of the world's. largest gold mines, becoming a substantial factor to the. nationwide treasury and producing income for Enga province. The. mine utilizes about 2,000 local workers.

It remains unclear the number of individuals passed away in the landslide on. May 24, with the national government and a U.N. quote putting. the death toll at about 670.

Australia's Foreign Minister, Cent Wong, said in an ABC. interview on Thursday that Australia was in an irreversible contest. in the Pacific, referring to its competition with China for. security ties, and wished to guarantee stability in PNG.

(source: Reuters)