SYDNEY, June 20 (Reuters) - Australia said it would

provide A$2 million ($1.33 million) to Papua New Guinea to

restore road access to the Porgera gold mine, previously one of

the world's largest, and other support for survivors after a

deadly landslide in Enga province in May.

Seven Australian ministers and the country's police chief

are in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to hold security and trade talks

amid competition with China for policing ties in the Pacific

Islands, and to underscore Australian humanitarian assistance

after the disaster last month.

"It was moving to see so many people in such a dire

situation," Australia's Minister for Pacific, Pat Conroy, said

in an ABC Television interview, after visiting the site with PNG

Defence Minister Billy Joseph and the delegation.

Australia will provide assistance for health clinics, and

education packs for thousands of survivors who must move from

villages where mountainsides collapsed.

PNG had requested A$2 million to "start the work to open up

the national highway there to the Porgera gold mine, which is

obviously an incredibly important source of jobs and revenue for

the people of Enga province", Conroy said.

The Porgera mine, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the

landslide, is an underground mine jointly run by Canada's

Barrick Gold ( GOLD ) and China's Zijin Mining Group

(601899.SS), with the Papua New Guinea government holding a 51%

share.

The mine was re-started this year after being in dispute for

four years as PNG sought to boost returns to tribal landowners,

and had been expected to reach full production this year.

Barrick did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape said in April the reopened

mine was expected to return to its status as one of the world's

largest gold mines, becoming a significant contributor to the

national treasury and generating income for Enga province. The

mine employs about 2,000 local workers.

It remains unclear how many people died in the landslide on

May 24, with the national government and a U.N. estimate putting

the death toll at about 670.

Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, said in an ABC

interview on Thursday that Australia was "in a permanent contest

in the Pacific", referring to its rivalry with China for

security ties, and wanted to ensure stability in PNG.

($1 = 1.4984 Australian dollars)