Papua New Guinea approves use of heavy sulfur fuel

Papua New Guinea’s National Executive Council (NEC) has given its approval to mining companies operating in the country to continue using heavy sulfur fuel in their heavy equipment. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mining, Lands and Physical Planning Puka Temu announced the exemption during the 2009 Mining Seminar in Port Moresby city. Port Moresby-based Hanjung Power Ltd. took the state to court in early 2009 after the national government decided to ban the importation of heavy sulfur fuel and the courts ruled in the power suppliers’ favor. Hanjung Power, the supplier of half to two-thirds of electrical power to the city of Port Moresby won its case against unfair legislation imposed by the government, stopping it from importing heavy fuel needed to run the Port Moresby generators. (November 2, 2009)