‘Incident not our fault’

 THE management of Ramu NiCo (MCC) has ruled out any possible environmental impacts caused by its Basamuk Refinery following the discovery of dead fish, prawns and crabs near the refinery.

The company denied any impact from its deep sea tailing placement (DSTP) or gas emission from the refinery following a thorough scientific result and analysed at its Basamuk laboratory.

Two months ago locals found dead fish, prawns and crabs at Naglau Beach and Creek.

A report by the company’s health, safety and environment officers said the marine incident was a result of induced poisoning to the water by villagers using to harvest.

The locals reported the incident to Ramu NiCo’s community affairs after discovering dead fresh water fish, prawns and crabs at Naglau beach front.

The mine’s officers collected water and aquatic samples including fish, prawns and crabs for analysis. 

The results showed that the refinery and its DSTP operation had no impact on marine.

“Further chemical tests from the sea water samples collected on May 28 were sent to the company lab and results were within the required standard,” the incident report stated.

“The results obtained from possible venues had indicated that the refinery operations including DSTP system were normal during May 1-26. 

Therefore it is concluded here that the activities at the tefinery operations has to be ruled out as a possible cause of the marine incident at Naglau Beach at the mouth of Naglau Creek,” the report said.