A violent conflict between rival tribes over control of a gold mine in Papua New Guinea has resulted in at least 30 deaths, police confirmed on September 16. Security forces have been authorised to use "lethal force" to quell the unrest, according to Police Commissioner David Manning. BBC reported that emergency measures, including a ban on alcohol sales and a nighttime curfew, have been implemented.

The violence erupted near the Porgera gold mine in the central highlands after members of the Sakar clan settled on land owned by the Piande clan in August, reigniting long-standing tensions. The conflict escalated on September 15, with police reporting over 300 gunshots exchanged between the tribes following the collapse of peace negotiations.

Commissioner Manning attributed the escalating violence to illegal miners and settlers who have been using force to intimidate local communities and traditional landowners. He issued a stark warning: "If you raise a weapon in a public place or threaten another person, you will be shot."

The fighting has disrupted operations at the Canadian-owned Porgera gold mine, which was briefly shut down as tensions escalated. Schools, hospitals, and government buildings in the region have also been closed, and several buildings have been set ablaze, according to local reports.

While tribal clashes are common in Papua New Guinea's highlands, police say the availability of automatic weapons has significantly worsened the current situation. The Porgera mine, once a major contributor to the country's economy, has seen its production stall due to ongoing tribal violence and delays in government control.

Earlier this year, 26 people, including 16 children, were killed in an attack on three villages in East Sepik province, highlighting the growing severity of tribal conflicts in the country. In 2022, clashes near the mine resulted in the deaths of 17 people.

In response to the escalating violence, security forces have been deployed along the highway to the mine, broadcasting messages of peace through loudspeakers. 

This unrest followed just days after Pope Francis’s visit. The Pope urged Papua New Guinea to put an end to the cycle of tribal violence, calling it a barrier to peace and development.