Morobe police arrest 82 illegal miners

The 82 illegal miners being loaded onto trucks to go and appear in court. (Image: Supplied)

Morobe's police chief has called on alluvial miners in Bulolo district to respect lawful mining leases and not conduct illegal mining.

Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Samson Siguyaru, made this call last Thursday after 82 illegal miners were arrested.

The arrest followed complaints by Justin Parker, the legal owner of Mining Lease 518, a portion in Bulolo district, who said his attempt to prevent illegal miners with the Mineral Resource Authority over some time had fallen on deaf ears.

“The lease owner, Justin Parker, together with the Mineral Resource Authority [MRA], had, over a period of one year, engaged with the group in an effort to stop the illegal mining activities,” PPC Siguyaru said.

“Despite these efforts, the number of illegal miners continued to increase, showing complete disregard for the lawful lease.”

“They also continued to harass, intimidate, and disrupt workers while carrying out illegal mining activities. As a result, the lawful lease owner lodged a formal complaint last Thursday, and a mass arrest was made by Morobe police,” the PPC said.

Those arrested pleaded guilty before the Lae District Court last Friday and were fined one thousand kina each.

Some of the water pumps and tools the policeman confiscated from the raid last Thursday. (Image: Supplied)

Mr Siguyaru said that the offenders promised that they would not repeat the offence again.

“The convicted individuals also gave assurances in court that they would not engage in illegal mining on registered mining lease again,’’ PPC Siguyaru said.

Meanwhile, Mr Siguyaru said the investigations into the Sambio killings by the Provincial Special Investigative Task Force team is progressing well with good cooperation from the community.

He added that police expect to make some arrests soon.