Settlement Patterns at Ok Tedi-stakeholders, 'corner' settlers and invaders

Ok Tedi is a large open cut mine nestled away in a far off corner of Papua New Guinea. It is scheduled to close in 2013. Since Ok Tedi is such an important part of the regional economy, its supporting town has drawn many people from the surrounding area to take advantage of the town's services and economic oppurtunities. For most of the life of the mine, this influx of people has consisted of peoples travelling (reasonable) short distances closer to town. People from further afield engaged in frequent circular movements between their lands and 'corners' or semi-permanent dormitory settlements with permission from local landowners. There has also recently been a large influx of people from Southern Highlands Province. Their presence adds an extra dimension to the mine closure planning and stakeholder relations because the Southern Highlanders outnumber locals, corner settlers and mine workers by 2 to 1. This increase in people has created problems with over use of essential services for people they were not intended for - such as the supermarket. How the main stakeholders in the Ok Tedi Mine engage with residents in the area around Tabubil with regards to sustainable livelihood programmed is the focus of this paper.