Villagers file human rights complaint over plan for giant PNG goldmine

Frieda River mine proposed by Chinese-owned PanAust sparks appeal to government in Australia where company is registered

More than 2,000 people in 60 villages in Papua New Guinea's north - where the country's largest gold, copper and silver mine is slated to be built - have filed a human rights complaint with the Australian government against developer PanAust.

The landowners of the proposed Frieda River mine, on a tributary to the Sepik in the north of New Guinea island, allege that PanAust failed to obtain their consent.