By Chris Lang
Papua New Guinea’s National Forest Authority has cancelled Mayur Resources’ proposed REDD project in Western Province. The proposed project was a revival of the failed Kamula Doso Improved Forest Management Carbon Project, started in 2009. Mayur Renewables, a subsidiary of Mayur Resources, was the Project Developer of the REDD project.
Mayur Resources is a mining and energy firm. It’s an Australian company, registered in the tax haven of Singapore, and the companies operations are exclusively in Papua New Guinea. For the REDD project Mayur Resources announced on, 21 Jun 2022, a partnership with Australian oil and gas exploration company, Santos Limited.
Earlier this month, Mayur Resources announced that it will pause its proposed Lae coal-fired power plant. Evelyn Wohuinangu of the Centre for Environmental Law and Community Rights welcomed the decision, but argues that the project should be stopped:
“Mayur’s decision to pause their plans for a coal power plant at Lae, and shift focus to renewables, is an important step.
“We strongly urge them to do away with coal entirely, including from their Central Cement and Limestone project in Papa Lea Lea. They must not bring this hazardous industry to PNG.”
Here is the PNG Forest Authority’s Public Notice about the cancellation, published on 20 July 2022 in PNG’s newspaper The National:
CANCELLATION OF CARBON PERMITS FCCTP 1-01, FCCTP 1-02 AND FCCTP 1-03 OVER KAMULA DOSO BLOCKS 1, 2 & 3, WESTERN PROVINCE
The National Forest Board wishes to advise on its decision for the Cancellation relating to the three (3) Carbon Permits previously issued over Kamula Doso Blocks 1, 2 & 3, in the Western province. All three permits were issued to Mayur Renewables (PNG) Limited on the 7th of January 2022 purposely for Carbon Credits.
The Cancellation of the Carbon Permits emanates as a result of the National Forest Board’s resolution dated 14th April 2022 in lieu of the manner in which the Carbon Permits were issued, that in total is contrary to and is in breach of the Forestry Act 1991 (as amended) and further that; the company Mayur Renewables (PNG) Limited, is not recogized as a Forest Industry participant is again contrary to and in breach of the Forestry Act 1991 (as amended).
By effect of this notice, the Carbon Permits FCCTP 1-01, FCCTP 1-02 AND FCCTP 1-03 relating to Kamula Doso Blocks 1, 2 and 3 are now deemed void and of no legal effect whatsoever.
Respectively, Mayur Renewables (PNG) Limited is hereby advised to cease all activities relating to the Permits forthwith.
FAITH BARTON LLB, LLM, MBA (Ms.)
CHAIRPERSON
NATIONAL FOREST BOARD
For and on behalf of the PNG Forest Authority
I hope this action sets a precedent for other countries to follow.