K15mil needed to remove toxic waste left by miner, Mori says

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
ABOUT K15 million is needed to clean up the Sinivit mine in East New Britain, says Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori.
Mori told The National yesterday that the toxic waste left behind after the operator, Niugini Gold Ltd, left the country would be disposed at sea. “(We are) waiting for funding as it will cost around K15 million,” he said.
“(It’s) not only cleaning, but getting the waste (for disposal) offshore.”
Mori previously said the company packed up and left in 2014 without notifying the Government, claiming that its mining lease had not been renewed.
“They (company) abruptly left the camp,” he said.
“All the infrastructure, leaching facilities, cyanide, are all left behind, with dynamites (and) explosives.
“These are very dangerous and they must now be disposed of. We need to clean the place up.”
Mori said the company did not provide the Mineral Resources Authority any plan to put the camp under care and maintenance.
“As a result, we now have serious environmental issues,” he said.
“We need a reputable company to detoxify the cyanide, including those that are kept in the vat ponds, and remove them.”
Around 50,000 people live close to the mine area.
The company began gold and silver production in August 2007 and stopped production at the end of June 2012. Its revenue from gold was K77,297,238.06 and silver was K352,833.49.