The Marape- Rosso Government remains totally committed to ensuring that the Wafi-Golpu mining agreement is strongly defined so the people of Morobe and Papua New Guinea receive maximum benefits during the 40-year life of the mine.
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today (28.11.25) told Parliament his government would not settle for anything less than what is legally prescribed under the laws of Papua New Guinea, giving the example of New Porgera 55 percent total benefits as the new benchmark in resource negotiations for the country.
The Prime Minister was responding to questions raised by Member for Bulolo, Hon. Sam Basil Jnr, regarding the status of negotiations, and if an immediate timeline could be set for the start of the project.
PM Marape said Government was negotiating seven outstanding issues with the developers, and apologised for the delay, but reiterated the crucial im- portance of getting the agreement correct at the beginning before the start of the 40-year project.
“Wafi-Golpu is a major gold and copper project. We want to make sure it is done right from the start to sustain our people and economy. As the Prime Minister, my duty is to my shareholders who are the people of the project area, the people of Morobe and the people of PNG.
“I will not give the go-ahead to a project that I feel is not fair to my people because this agreement is for 40 years,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape said government policy dictates maximum benefits from tax, royalty, and equity – the three main revenue sources – must altogether total 55 percent and over, not less.
“This means, if the company makes 1 dollar from the mine, Papua New Guinea must get 55 cents.
“I stand at the back of the success we have been able to show in Porgera. From New Porgera we now have 55 percent total benefits. That is why this year alone, Porgera was able to pay over K700 million in taxes to the government, with K300 million ready to be paid off to landowners.
“Once I am satisfied that we have hit over 55 percent, like Porgera, I will sign off. I am not ignorant as I come from a project area where I see people deprived of their fair share of earnings.”
The Prime Minister clarified that the previous government, under the MOU of 2018 signed in Sydney, was settling for only 20 percent equity over a 60-year mine life despite the law stating up to a 30 percent equity ceiling, which led former governor for Morobe Ginson Sounu seeking the court’s intervention to restore the remaining 10 percent.
“I want to reassure the Member that since 2019, we have been working to get above 50 percent total benefit for the country. We have not asked for anything over and above the law. The law says 30 percent equity, so we must get it,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape reiterated that his government has already allocated over K100 million in Infrastructure Development Grant to the Morobe Provincial Government over the last three years to develop the project area, and the provincial government must begin preparing the area and people in anticipation of the project.
“To the people of Morobe, I ask for your patience for a little longer. A few more months will not make much difference because this is a 40-year contract we are signing. We must not give our birthright away in return for nothing or less than what government policy and our law asks.”
PM Marape pointed out that mine contracts have lasting impact over the life of mines and bear the commitment and resolve of sitting prime ministers who pen these documents, as demonstrated by Lihir Gold Mine under Sir Julius Chan, old Porgera under Rabbie Namaliu, and Papua LNG under Peter O’Neill.
“I do not want my signature on the Wafi-Golpu contract where no great benefits return to the people. For that, I am fighting.
“We will measure investors, whether in mining projects, oil, forestry or fisheries. In all national projects, our people must receive their fair share just as much as investors receive theirs,” said the Prime Minister.