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Business |
Conditions sought on Tolukuma sale
THE sale of Tolukuma Gold Mine (TGM)
should include a commitment to sell the asset to a buyer who
will work with communities around the mine site to lessen the
impact of mining operations.
This was the reaction
of Oxfam Australia, an
environmental-protection group, to a recent
announcement by Australia-based Emperor Mines on its plan to
sell its Papua New Guinea mining property.
Oxfam has worked directly with people affected by mining
operations for years in the country and with the local
organisation the Centre for Environmental Research and
Development (CERD) to ensure TGM and Emperor responded
appropriately to community concerns.
“Recently, we achieved from TGM and Emperor a common
understanding of the importance of resolving the concerns being
expressed by communities,” Oxfam Australia’s mining ombudsman
Shanta Martin said.
Last August, TGM and Emperor committed to provide sustainable
and safe water supplies to affected communities, starting with
implementation of recommendations arising out of a joint study
of alternative water supplies in affected Mekeo villages.
TGM and Emperor also made the welcome commitment to ensure that
the mine would have zero impact on the river within three years.
Oxfam said communities in the first two villages participating
in the clean water supply process – Gagaifua and Oriro-petana –
demonstrated considerable faith and goodwill in allowing TGM
representatives to enter their villages.
 
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