Mine waste left behind

By SHIRLEY MAULUDU
THE remains at the abandoned Sinivit gold mine in East New Britain will cost about K10 million to have them cleaned up, Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) managing director Jerry Garry says.
Garry said the mine, including a few others, were abandoned by their respective operators as the country did not have proper policies and regulations in place following mine closure.
The MRA boss made the statement during launching of the mining audit programmes and mine closure and rehabilitation plan in Port Moresby on Friday.
“We have remaining cyanide at Sinivit and the company has gone into liquidation,” he said.
“The question is, who will do the clean up?
“The cyanide is still there, very toxic, and it could end up in Warangoi (river) anytime.
“From the figures I’m getting from people, the clean-up will cost about K10 million.
“Who is going to fund that K10 million at such a time when the country does not have the money?” Garry also commented on the abandoned Tolukuma gold mine in Central.
“We also have issues at Tolukuma where the mine was abandoned because of liquidation again and it’s very difficult to clean up,” he said.
“The relics of the mines are still there.
“The question is who will clean that up?
“We also have relics of dredges up in Wau and Bulolo (Morobe).
“They are still standing there.
“Who will do the clean-up?
“When we look at that we found out that the country over these many years of large scale mining do not have what we call, a mine closure and rehabilitation guideline.
“So there was a real need to develop one.
“Through the recognition from Apec and with the support of IGF (Inter Government Forum) and OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation), we are pleased to say that we have developed a PNG Mine Closure and Rehabilitation Guideline that will be launched today.”