PNG landowners 'refugees in their own land'

10:06 am on 5 December 2018

The leader of a Papua New Guinea landowners' group says a Canadian mining giant has made his people "refugees in their own land".

Demonstration against Barrick Niugini at the Porgera mine

Demonstration against Barrick Niugini at the Porgera mine Photo: Supplied

Jonathan Paraia is the spokesperson for the Justice Foundation of Porgera which is suing the government for more than $US13 billion.

The group alleged the government had breached a contract by failing to ensure the Porgera gold miner Barrick Gold looked after landowners.

Mr Paraia said as a result the landowners' livelihoods had gone and their environment had been destroyed.

"Taking the land away permanently and making our landowners refugees on our own land. They are becoming nomad and there is no future for our future generations. So now we have to take the action. We have established Justice Foundation to fight for justice."

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