A spokesperson for MiningWatch Canada says after the Porgera region in Papua New Guinea has hosted a huge open cut gold mine for nearly 30 years, the people are desperate.
Catherine Coumans was speaking as a landowners' group called the Justice Foundation for Porgera announced it was suing the PNG government for billions of dollars over the destruction caused by the Barrick Niugini mine.
She says the people of Porgera have always been and continue to be outmanoeuvred by Barrick, which is a Canadian company.
Barrick is seeking a renewal of its lease and Don Wiseman asked Ms Coumans if it deserved a renewal.
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