FENI ISLANDERS FIGHT !!!https://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2007/February/02-26-14.htm
...PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT
Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i
PNG ISLANDERS FIGHT LARGE SCALE GOLD MINING
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post Courier, Feb 24) – People of Anir island (also known as Feni Island) in the New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, do not want the exploration license 1021 (EL1021) to be renewed.
The Anir Island Resources Owners Association in a statement said they did not want to renew EL1021 but instead they wanted to start small-scale operations such as alluvial mining.
Association chairman Paul Mimfin said mining exploration on the island began 26 years ago to date and has resulted in damage to the environment, the sea, rivers and heritage land.
"People want to do small scale operations themselves without the interference of foreign companies. They care about their environment and their future," Mr Mimfin said. He said in October a public hearing was organised between the Anir people and the mining warden for the renewal of EL1021.
About 400 people from the island attended that meeting at the Malekolon Airport.
The people refused renewal of EL1021 and disputed EL1331 to the mining warden.
Mr Mimfin, in a letter of February 16 to the Mining Department, said, Lawrence Waler, a field officer from the exploration company New Guinea Gold (NGG) and Vangold joint venture said on January 11 that "the mining warden rang them and informed them that he was not happy with the proceedings of the hearing on October 31, 2006 at the Malekolon Airport. The warden suggested that Mr Waler travel to Feni Island to re-negotiate the decision made by the 400 Anir people on October 31, 2006."