Police arrive in Ramu mine to probe brawl

From The National (Papua New Guinea’s leading daily newspaper)

 

POLICE have been deployed to the Ramu nickel mine site in Madang to restore law and order.

Provincial police commander Chief Insp Anthony Wagambie Jr said a police composite has been deployed to the Basamuk refinery site to police and investigate a confrontation that allegedly resulted in some nationals and Chinese workers seriously injured.

 “Police personnel have been deployed to assess the situation and provide security for the mine workers.

“Police will also investigate the incident which has led to disruption at the mine site,” Chief Insp Wagambie said.

Police were deployed to Basamuk after three Chinese workers were seriously wounded and properties worth thousands of kina, including accommodation block and plant equipment, were damaged.

 The three wounded Chinese were evacuated to Port Moresby over the weekend while the locals, who were admitted at Madang’s Modilon Hospital, were later released.

 He said the officers, which included investigators and traffic police, would investigate and bring to justice any offenders identified.

Chief Insp Wagambie said police will be working closely with the company and the local landowners to solve the issue and let the mine continue operations.

“The situation has been reportedly quite since Friday but tense, and it is premature at this stage but we will be working closely with all parties to solve the matter quickly,” he said yesterday.

 The mine management yesterday claimed that about 30 Chinese workers were injured in the confrontation, but that could not be confirmed.