Mining in Bismarck a gamble

Whilst the issues to do with mining of the Bismarck Sea has been taken to the public through the East New Britain provincial government’s public awareness drive and the education of the ordinary villagers, it will not realistically empower them to affect the inevitable mining operations and the benefits accruing from the operations.
It will not avail them the logistical tools to avert disasters and emergencies that may be arise from this mining operation.
The communities that Wenzel Esekia is referring to in terms of the possible impact areas does not take into account the natural phenomenon of ocean or sea current patterns along the west coast shoreline of the New Ireland province, the Djaul Islands, the New Hanover Island and Lambom in the northern tip of New Ireland.
There are people along the shoreline of these places, who stand to be affected if spillage of wastes, chemicals, oil products and other substances occurs.
The ocean current that flows in the directions of these places knows no boundaries and cannot be dismissed lightly.
Mining as we continue to see in the country just as any part of the world, is a gamble with people’s lives.
The negative impact of mining of this nature can only outlast the positive impacts.
Though the awareness, consultation and education can give a temporary veil of legitimacy for the impending mining operations and boost the public relations of mining in the Bismarck, it does not show who stands to benefit most.
Quite contrary to Esekia, the indigenous people of PNG, Tonga and
Fiji will not be winners; only the CEOs and faceless shareholders of this mining conglomerate.
We the inhabitants stand to lose.

Eddie Nakatt
Kavieng, NIP

Journey to Paradise

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