Transcript
The Akali Tange Association says PNG's mining industry urgently needs an ombudsman to address the power imbalance between locals and big mining companies - such as Barrick Gold.
The group's executive officer, McDiyan Robert Yapari, also says it's time that victims of violence and rape at Porgera mine finally see justice done.
He says the group's hopes now rest with Justin Trudeau.
"Now we don't have any choice but only our prayers - our only hope now lies with the Canadian Prime Minister, if he sets up this Canadian extractive sector human rights ombudsman - that would be a great relief for us."
Mr Yapari says it is crucial that someone independent of both government and industry is appointed to ensure any investigations are transparent and unbiased.
He says the situation at the Porgera gold mine is getting worse and something needs to change.
"It is going from bad to worse now despite several attempts to hold the company accountable for its previous human rights abuses and harm that it has done to the local community here in Porgera - Barrick is continuously abusing human rights."
MiningWatch Canada agrees, saying it is still getting reports of rapes at the Porgera Mine.
Its spokesperson, Catherine Coumans, says letters from the Porgera campaigners and other groups worried about the activities of Canadian mining companies are already having an impact.
"It's certainly really significant when people around the world write directly to our Prime Minister and directly indicate what the harm is that they're experiencing from Canadian mining companies and how they have a hard time getting access to justice in their own countries and therefore really need Canada to step up to the plate."
Catherine Coumans says Barrick Gold is Canada's flagship goldmining company and also the biggest goldmining company in the world.
She says that means the problems at Porgera Mine are already on the Canadian Government's radar.
"The issues have been raised in Canada in parliamentary committees, they've been put in front of MPs, they've been extensively addressed in the media, this case in particular has a lot of profile here."
MiningWatch Canada says Justin Trudeau made a pledge during his election campaign to create an office that would oversee the country's mining companies and it's now time for him to make good on that promise.
