Applications for environment permits undergo review

ALL applications for environment permits submitted by project proponents in sectors including mining, undergo a comprehensive due diligence through reviews and assessment processes, an official says.
Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) managing director Gunther Joku told the Morobe government in Lae that applications, independent experts’ reviews and assessments were also done before recommendations were made by the director of environment to the environment council.
It would then be forward to the Environment Minister for approval.
Joku and his officers were in Morobe to conduct awareness and gauge stakeholders’ views on the deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) system which Wafi-Golpu project has proposed.
On the environment permit grant process, Joku said once project proponents submitted their environmental impact statements (EIS), the department then considered data provided, which consultants were involved in preparing.
This is to ensure credibility.
And depending on the nature of the project which proponents apply for, the Cepa engages external independent environmental scientific organisations to do a peer reviews on the EIS.
Joku said this was what happened with the EIS submitted for the Wafi-Golpu project.
“The peer review looked at the terrestrial and marine issues, pipeline and specific review of the DSTP,” he said.
He said Cepa had to ensure external organisations selected to conduct peer reviews for submissions such as that of Wafi-Golpu’s DSTP system, were credible and had experience in working in tropical climates such as PNG.
Meanwhile, the consultation awareness engagements programme is a prerequisite (under the Environment Act).
It is to educate landowners and communities along the route of the pipeline on what the DSTP system is, how it works and how Cepa would monitor during operation of the system if installed by the proponent.