The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Central Province is taking legal action against the national government over its alleged failure to properly assign a mining licence.
The Tolokuma Gold Mine company is being accused of not following the correct waste management programme, and for misleading landowners.
Governor Alphonse Moroi blames the Mining Ministry for not doing its job properly.
He says the company should not be operating under its current licence.
Governor Moroi says the mine should sign a memorandum of agreement to meet conditions set earlier by the landowners and the local government.
"My provincial government was supposed to be consulted as a stakeholder in this agreement to have an opportunity to decide whether the mining licence was reviewed or not. And I've actually told the minister I'll be challenging that in court.'"
Governor Moroi says papers will be filed tomorrow requesting Mining Minister, Sam Akoitai, to appear in court.
Tolokuma Mine is owned and operated by South African Roodepoort Deep, and is one of the best performing operators owned by the group.
