Don’t fast-track project: Saonu

The National National

By JIMMY KALEBE
THERE is no need to fast-track the development of the K18 billion Wafi-Golpu gold-copper project by allowing deep sea tailing placement (DSTP) as an option for mine waste disposal, says Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu.
“There are other options that can be used which are more environmentally friendly which some independent studies have pointed out,” Saonu said.
“Why would the Government want to fast-track this project when it knows that people do not support DSTP?”
He said the options, apart from DSTP that independent survey from other organisations pointed out, should be the way forward for the project. He said the welfare of the people needed to be taken seriously as they would be the ones to live with any environmental damage after the mine completed its life span.
He cautioned the Government to be mindful of this and not push through on the DSTP option.
“Minister Wera Mori is trying to sign off the project to kick start immediately but to me it has to take time and if it means money, then they have to spend that much to do it properly instead of bulldozing it.”
Governor Saonu said Newcrest and Harmony Gold were signatories to the global good mining practice and Minister Mori should not force them into jeopardising their reputation internationally.
“So take time, no need to rush, the resource will not go away or go rotten. We have to do the right thing right from the beginning to avoid situations of environment damages like at other mines in the country.”
Governor Saonu reiterated that Morobe supported the Wafi-Golpu project but did not want the DSTP but another option for tailings disposal.

5 comments

  • Fast track the project. Then most people will have forgotten about it by the time of the next election and all those directly affected will be dead.

  • Thanks Morobe Governor, you are a true Morobe Leader. Its time we Morobe to OPEN our eyes wide open and look at least we have a leader who listen to us. We must not be tricked by anyone to sell our birth right to outsiders especially when voting leaders.

  • yes..em tru ya…Ginson Saonu is doing the right thing from the very beginning of the mine to start. We need this kind of leaders and not yoyos or puppets control by someone else’s interest. trupla man…ol kande…continue voting em lo 2022 election so em bai continue wok blo em.

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