Frieda project will draw from the OK Tedi’s experiences

THE experiences of the Ok Tedi mine in Western will be the basis used to draft a better benefit and environmental management plan for Frieda River project in West Sepik.
The third Frieda River project landowner benefits and development forum held at Tabubil over the past three days gave landowners the opportunity to prepare their position paper on how they would want the mine to operate.
The forum was organised by Telefomin MP Solan Mirisim.
Mirisim also arranged with the management of Ok Tedi Mining Ltd to share their experiences on how the company had worked with landowners, how programmes and benefits were delivered and how the mine’s waste was managed.
Others that were present included West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou, Ambunti-dreikikir MP Johnson Wapunai and Wewak MP Kevin Isifu.
The landowners had the opportunity to also hear from OTML management led by managing director and chief executive Peter Graham and deputy chief executive Musje Werror on the mine’s operations.
PanAust Ltd, the proposed developer led by Geoff Gallister, the country manager and his team also attended and presented their status report to the forum on how they are preparing to form landowner companies and other preparations.
Also present were skilled locals in the mining industry led by lead technical adviser and facilitator Allan Bond.
Many of these locals are serving as engineers and other technical fields in the industry in Australia and in PNG.
They were engaged as advisers.