SYDNEY, May 5, 2008 (AFP) - South African mining company Harmony Gold Mining Limited has shut down two of its operations in Papua New Guinea over disputes with local landowners, reports said Monday.

Papua New Guinea's Post Courier said that Harmony had closed its Hidden Valley and Wafi projects in the country's north-east, adding that police had been sent to the sites to protect company assets and staff.

The newspaper said the company refused to comment on whether the closure would delay the first gold production, due by the end of the month from Hidden Valley project which was in its final construction stage.

The Wafi mine is yet to be built.

Papua New Guinea police had reported that surprise attacks on the mining operations had resulted in 12 injuries last week, the paper said.