He said all mine-related issues had to be discussed with the landowners in Porgera before the mine could be reopened.
The Mineral Resources Authority said the Barrick Niugini mine is yet to resume because Mineral Resources Enga is yet to sign off on the shareholder's agreement.
MRA MD Jerry Garry said the shareholder's agreement was the key agreement that needed to be signed off for the creation of new project company for Porgera.
"The project company will then have the interest of the underlying exploration licence as well as the special mining lease which will effectively run Porger," Garry told The National newspaper.
"MRE owns 5% of the residual shares in the project and that is why it is invited to be a shareholder in the new company."
Garry said that official negotiations were not within MRA's ambit.
"We cover the regulatory side of business and so currently the state is in negotiations with Barrick, Mineral Resources Enga and the landowners," he said.
"These are purely commercial negotiations in regard to the commercial interest in the project."
Marape said if the ethnic clash in Porgera continued the development forum would be moved to Wabag.
"From the deal, Enga will be getting the much-needed benefits compared to the previous 30 years deal when the mine was in operation. We have to open the mine soon and I need cooperation and discussions which will make us all agree," Marape said.
