Team to study Pagan’s pozzolan formed

Following its decision to junk Azmar International’s mining permit application, the Marianas Public Lands Authority approved yesterday the creation of a task force that would spearhead a thorough research on the pozzolan available on Pagan.

MPLA board member Nicolas Nekai was appointed to chair the task force, which will be composed of other MPLA officials, as well as representatives from the Legislature, Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, and other groups.

In an interview yesterday, Nekai said the task force would seek assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey to determine the actual quantity and quality of pozzolanic ash available in Pagan. He added that the task force would eventually find a suitable investor who can extract and market the material, which is a sought-after additive to cement.

With the study to be undertaken by the task force, MPLA hopes to be in a better position to decide the terms and conditions under which to allow an investor to mine Pagan.

“We [at the MPLA board] recognize our responsibility over the CNMI’s resources, especially now that our economy is not so good,” Nekai said.

He said he will be sending letters to concerned agencies to appoint their respective representatives to the task force. However, he said the task force may not be able to come together until January, when the holidays are over.

“I think it will be difficult to start something until after the holidays, when everybody is kind of settled down. By January, I will probably have a better idea on how to proceed with this task force,” Nekai said.

Further, he expressed hope that MPLA will be able to work out an agreement with the Legislature and other agencies that want to participate in the task force regarding the group’s funding.

“MPLA will try to finance some of the expenses, but we’re also looking forward to getting help from other groups, particularly the Legislature that has been pushing for the creation of this task force,” Nekai said.

Cinta Kaipat, a leader of the watchdog group PaganWatch, welcomed the creation of the task force.

“We thank the board for agreeing to take up [the task force proposal]. Let the study be conducted and let’s find out really how much is up there and market it professionally. That way, we can maximize the revenues that we can get and the entire CNMI community can benefit,” Kaipat said.