Commission: Participate in review

 THE Constitutional and Law Reform Commission has called on stakeholders in the Islands region to participate in the review of environmental and mining laws relating to management and disposal of tailings or mining waste.

A team from the CLRC made this call in Kokopo, East New Britain on Wednesday.

It is understood CLRC was now consulting with relevant stakeholders, including the department of environment and conservation, mining, petroleum and energy, the chamber of mines and other industry groups.

CLRC on Wednesday urged people and stakeholders in NGI region to state their views on the current state of waste management and disposal of tailings and make proposals for change.

The call was made especially to those stakeholders with various concerns living in the mine tailings disposal areas, including water-ways and coastal areas over mining waste management and disposal into the environment and the consequential harm to the environment.

It is understood that there has been recent concerns and reports on the high toxicity levels of hazardous chemicals and heavy metal traces which have been found to occur in the sample of population in mining waste disposal areas throughout the country and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

CLRC also highlighted in Kokopo that there was a need to systemically and properly consider the concerns raised by indigenous citizens and consider corrective measures.

While mining is one of the most important economic sectors in PNG, it also causes negative impacts on the environment.