The Fourth National Goal of Papua New Guinea’s Constitution and the Frieda River Mine Project

Abstract

The Frieda River mine project is currently at the final approval stage. The developer presented the proposal as a potential nation-building project for Papua New Guinea (PNG). While the proposal is before the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), debates are intensifying among politicians, local communities, and international observers as to whether the project should continue. Recently, seven Sepik members of parliament (MPs) signed a letter to the prime minister urging the development of the mine. In contrast, other MPs — such as East Sepik Governor Allen Bird and Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru — strongly opposed it, highlighting the serious environmental risks involved (Kanu 11/11/2025). We join in this debate to examine the proposed Frieda mine project and raise questions surrounding the underlying values enshrined in the Fourth National Goal of the PNG constitution, concerning natural resources and the environment. We explore how the Frieda mine project contradicts the fourth goal, undermining the eco-spiritual values that underpin it, and we make three recommendations regarding the project.