The siege started around 5am Monday and the disgruntled landowner group is reportedly holding 15 workers hostage underground at the power station, according to the National.

The landowners are seeking claims for compensation and benefits from the power station to be resolved and have threatened to continue to cut off power until these claims are resolved.

Minister for State and Enterprise Arthur Somare said in a press conference in Port Moresby yesterday that any dialogue with legitimate landowners would cease until those occupying the power stations left the premises, according to the Post Courier newspaper.

“Their actions by moving onto the site, taking possession of the site and protesting over the site is illegal,” he said.

Somare said discussions with the legitimate landowner group, the Arona Valley Development Authority, were ongoing.

PNG Power has urged towns with backup generators to use them. However, it is believed several areas, including Lae, were without power for most of yesterday.

Highlands Pacific holds the Kainantu gold mine in the Eastern Highlands Province. Managing director Ian Holzberger told PNGIndustryNews.net this morning that the company’s operations were not affected by the power outage.

Holzberger said power for the Kainantu operation was sourced independently and the mine has continued to operate normally.

Meanwhile, the PNG Government has sent a “high level” team to the Yonki power station this morning in a bid to resolve the crisis.