Landowners in Papua New Guinea's Western Province have given the Government until next Wednesday to respond to demands to return their share in the OK Tedi mine.
They say if their 63.4 percent share is not returned, the mine will be shut down.
PNG Village reports the landowners say no one has responded to them, despite attempts to speak with local leaders and the office of the Prime Minister.
They want the share to be given to them directly so they can then decide who will be given the responsibility to manage it.
They says they've been consulting the OK Tedi Mine workers union and will shut down the mine if that's what's needed to get the Government's attention.
The spokesperson for the Community Mine Continuation Agreement, Richard Zumoi, says since the Government takeover, community projects such water catchment, health and education have come to a standstill.
