RE:Barrick I don't think it's a bluff, I think they're just at a stalemate and while that stalemate persists & theres no production its hard to justify maintaining a payroll.
It's one of the more extreme playing cards they can use, which is essentially reminding the community that the PNG government is screwing around with their revenue. Question will be whether the community supports what appears to be a political promise.
Political jockeying is always complicated. It will be interesting whatever the outcome is.