Decision yet to be made on project’s environment permit

ENVIRONMENT, Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori says a decision is yet to be made on the environmental permit for the Frieda River copper and gold project in West Sepik.
Mori said the process in granting the permit had not been completed.
“Frieda River is an ongoing project – meaning that PanAust, which has got the licence, is still conducting exploration,” he said.
He said they were still assessing the ore body and the type and style of mineralisation needed before submitting their plan and mining development proposal to the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority and Mineral Resources Authority.
“In the mining development plan they will submit, they will note the nature and style, the volume, and the mining rate (how much, in tonnes they are going to mine a year), together with the commercial mineral. From there, discussions will follow,” he said.
“At the moment, I have not issued any permit to anyone yet.”
Mori said the Government would consider the inputs from East Sepik and West Sepik governments.
“The people through their provincial governments will go through the process of discussions.
“Meaningful discussions must take place between the people of East and West Sepik, whether they want the mine or not.
“That is something for them to decide with their provincial leaders.
“And then, we will talk to them.
“We can’t do anything now.
“All those processes are to be completed before an environment permit is granted.
“There are no submissions yet, not that I know of.”