Mine locals appeal

Business, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday August 7th, 2015

 LOCALS in Western have appealed to Ok Tedi Mining Ltd (OTML) management not to stop any benefits to the people during the “temporary shutdown” period. 

Ok Tedi Mine Impacted Area Association (OTMIAA) president Nick Bunn said locals in Western would be greatly affected as a result as they depended too much on benefits from the mine.

“The people are greatly affected as they depend on the mine and benefit from the mine,” he said. 

“During this period of drought the Ok Tedi management must not stop any benefits to the people.” 

Bunn said the people’s question now would be: “Will this affect their compensation payments?

“The prices of goods have risen … fuel prices, and transport cost have risen. 

“The people’s livelihood on the river have been destroyed through the dumping of tailings and their food, sago and fish are scarce now. 

“The people are now suffering and soon, especially children will be dying of hunger, and the sick will be dying because of the high cost of transportation to bring them to the nearest health centres and clinics. 

“If the Ok Tedi mine is going to shut down for more than six months then there have to be some plans in place by the Government to take care of situations that will arise as a result,” Bunn said. 

OTML last week announced a temporary shutdown of its operations.

The State-owned open-pit copper, gold and silver mining company in a statement said the shutdown would be temporary but the company would continue operations while critical supplies allow.

The company said the situation resulted from a dry weather event that was already significantly impacting it operations. 

“River traffic on the Fly River into and out Ok Tedi’s main river port at Kiunga has been unreliable for some weeks due to low water levels.”