Tribal Battle at Gold Mine Leaves Dozens Dead

Tribal violence in Papua New Guinea’s Enga Province has resulted in the deaths of over 35 people, with clashes linked to illegal mining activities.

Authorities stated that the death toll could rise as the situation unfolds.

The violence broke out near the New Porgera gold mine in the Porgera Valley, marking one of the worst instances of tribal warfare in the region in recent years.

New Porgera, one of the biggest producers of gold in the world, has halted operations until at least Thursday due to the escalating conflict.

Homes and businesses in the nearby Suyan village were reportedly set ablaze, compounding the toll on local communities.

“There was a fierce battle on Sunday,” said Police Assistant Commissioner Joseph Tondop.

“I’m putting all the figures together. There were some innocent bystanders also murdered.”

As the situation spirals, authorities have deployed up to 300 soldiers and police to restore peace.

Mate Bagossy, a humanitarian adviser for the South Pacific region, estimated that as many as 50 people have been killed during the clashes.

“We are not sure it’s calming. It’s not yet stabilized,” he said.

“The reports that we got is that this was initiated as a … relatively minor conflict between illegal miners,” Bagossy said.

Local factions, who are often heavily armed, brought in allies, leading to widespread violence.

Video footage circulating on social media shows fighters wielding assault rifles, a rare but growing phenomenon in Papua New Guinea’s tribal conflicts.

High-powered weapons are becoming more common in these clashes, despite their cost.

“The conflict escalated into clashes between two groups and then those two groups have reportedly brought in their allies and this has caused an eruption of violence in the entire area of Porgera town and surrounds,” he added.

He noted that local health facilities are ill-equipped to handle the influx of wounded, adding uncertainty to the overall number of casualties.

Further reports from the United Nations also indicate the casualty count could be even higher.

Located in the nation’s rugged highlands, Enga Province is particularly prone to such violence.

The region’s remote geography and lack of state infrastructure make law enforcement and governance challenging. As a result, conflicts over land, resources, and tribal honor are often settled through brutality

Illegal mining activities, especially around the Porgera gold mine, have exacerbated tensions.

The New Porgera mine is one of the world’s largest gold mines and has long been the center of disputes between local landowners, the government, and mining companies.

The mine’s presence has drawn in outsiders, including illegal miners, who are often seen as encroaching on traditional lands.

Enga Province has long been a hotbed for tribal violence, and the situation has worsened since a devastating landslide in May.

The disaster killed hundreds and left over 2,000 villagers displaced, according to national government estimates.

U.N. calculations put the death toll at 670 but acknowledge that the real number could be much higher.

Efforts to deliver aid to those affected by both the landslide and the violence have been hampered. The main road to Porgera remains blocked by rubble from the landslide, 25 miles from the town.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press