Probe pollution of river systems

THE operators of the Tolokuma Gold Mine, Mines Department and Environment and Conservation Department must accept responsibility for environmental damage caused to the Auga and Angabanga river systems as reported by The National.
The people living in the area depend on the rivers and land for their survival.
Most of them have no means to speak out and are suffering silently because of a mining operation that is not even owned by Papua New Guineans.
They are my people and I feel a deep pain within me.
They are suffering and some will probably die in return for a 5% royalty and a 30% tax to the Government (which is not even being used properly to monitor this mining activity).
Meanwhile, the mine shareholders are drinking clean purified water and immune from all the suffering.
The relevant authorities must carry out a full investigation immediately and hold the mine operators accountable for all deaths, suffering and damage to the environment.
The investigation must make recommendations on appropriate processes and waste management systems that the mine must implement to minimise further pollution.
The regulatory processes in place at the Mining Department and Environment and Conservation Department failed to ensure safe operations and we must find out why.
Perhaps they lack funding to carry out their duties properly.

Alex Goiye
Port Moresby

Journey to Paradise

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