Deep sea tailings method at Misima mine successful: Marine biologist

THE Misima mine in Milne Bay has been using the deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) method of disposal successfully, a marine biologist says.
Prof Ralph Mana of the Biological Sciences Division at the University of PNG used the Misima mine as the best example of how the DSTP worked.
He was addressing a forum in Lae last week between stakeholders of the Wafi-Golpu gold-copper project to discuss the best mine tailing disposal method.
But he warned that any mine project developer wishing to use DSTP method must “adhere to all requirements to make it function optimally like at Misima”.
“Misima is the model DSTP system that really works well because the 1,000m drop is very close to the shoreline.
“So the tailings are practically being dropped from a cliff, settles and nothing comes back up,” he said.
Prof Mana, who has done extensive studies on marine life around Huon Gulf and Basamuk, warned about the impact on the environment if requirements were not followed.
He said the mistake exposed at Basamuk in Madang must not be repeated at Wafi-Golpu and other mines.
“The problem with Basamuk is that right after 25 degree from the head of the canyon, it goes for a few kilometers and it’s very flat,” he said.
“So the tailings go nowhere. They collect at about 500 to 700 meters and accumulate in the canyon.”
A marine study of Basamuk he conducted in 2014 revealed that tailings accumulating in the Basamuk Canyon had slowly spilled over into two nearby canyons.