Project assessment to continue
By DALE LUMA
ASSESSMENT on the Frieda River copper-gold project in West Sepik is likely to continue after the granting of the Wafi-Golpu special mining lease (SML), according to Mineral Resources Authority (MRA).
Managing director Jerry Garry told The National that the Covid-19 had affected the assessment schedule for the Frieda River project.
Garry said the proposal for development and SML 9 application (amended) were lodged by the developer, PanAust Ltd, with the MRA in December 2018 for the development of the Frieda River project.
He said there were four components to the project:
- FRIEDA River copper-gold project;
- FRIEDA River hydroelectric project;
- SEPIK infrastructure project; and,
- SEPIK power grid project.
“The MRA has completed its preliminary assessment of the proposal for development, except for the Frieda River hydroelectric project, which includes the integrated storage dam facility,” Garry said.
“Given the magnitude and implications associated with potential failure, the State has assigned SMEC (Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation) Consultants to assess the integrity of the dam and also provide remedial measures in the event of failure or an alternate remedy.
“The SMEC commenced its preliminary independent assessment review but put on hold temporarily due the Covid-19 pandemic.
“MRA was advised that Cepa (Conservation and Environment Protection Authority) has completed its preliminary assessment of EIS (environmental impact statement).
“However, their public consultation/roadshow programme has not been completed along the Sepik River corridor due to stiff opposition from the River communities and staff safety concerns.”
PanAust has placed the project under care and maintenance with reduction in their workforce.
Only a few employees were retained to take care of the project camp.
Garry said PanAust was not actively pushing the project permitting.
“Rather it will go along with the MRA and State’s permitting schedule,” he said.
“The SML landowners are supportive of the project and want the government to permit it.
“Similarly the Sandaun government is supporting the project while the East Sepik government support is contingent on review of the EIS and environment concerns.”
13 comments
Get the ball rolling ASAP. Do proper benefit sharing, landowners involve As well and get production on to generate income for PNG
Let us put a STOP to this disaster in waiting before it destroys the entire Sepik River ecosystem. We do not need one more environmental disaster that is similar to Ok Tedi mine and its impact on the Fly River. BHP Billiton did a better job at giving something back with the Western Province people with the establishment of the PNGSDP despite the overwhelming amount of destruction it caused. With the Chinese in charge of the Frieda River project and the fact that this projects impacts both West and East Sepik is very troubling. We will definitely see an impact that is much more destructive considering China’s record on anything to do with safety. Kill the Frieda river project before it kills our people.
Good news.
Na tingim ol Grass roots population and maski wokim corruption and misappropriatim income.
We the sepik river rely heavily on river system for food,water, income and other daily actives such as cooking,washing,fishing and drinking. If the mine operate upstream we will be most affected. So how are we going to benefit from this project..
Concern villager
Kambrindo village
The mighty FLY RIVER we must not forget. It is no longer what it use to be before the OKTEDI Mine.
Our people must not be turned into guinea pigs for research purposes particular villages along the mighty SEPIK RIVER.
One Country, one people, one nation.
God Bless PNG
Please Sepiks don’t trust these greedy money hungry foreigners. You’ll regret for generations if you allow mining to go ahead. All mining companies do the exact opposite to what they promise, that we have learn’t experienced in all other mining venture.
The Frieda River Deposit or Project was first discovered long time before Ok Tedi was discovered but did not come in to production due to insufficient proven reserves to make it viable like OkTedi.
Anyway the Sepiks have long talked about this project to come into production and it’s almost a dream come through.
My only concern is make sure all engineering and environmental impact assessments are done to highest standards so that there is no negative impacts or effects caused to the environment like what’s happening to Ok Tedi and Porgera tailings and waste mining disposals in the river system.
Get an independent consultant to check out the assessments prior to commencement of mining activities.
If not compliant, I’m sorry as a Sepik I will bluntly support moves to stop all mining activities. I know the mountain sepiks will be happy with the project benefits but the low land Sepiks and their environment will be ruined na bai nogat ol fish na saksak na abus olsem bipo.
I read somewhere that Frieda had more gold reserves than copper… and yes, it was discovered earlier in the 50s, during the days when late Frank Martin formerly of Wewak was a ‘Kiap’ (Patrol Officer). I also read Ok Tedi was discovered in the late 60s by Geologist working for Kennecot Company.
One learned Sepik Mining Engineer told me some years ago that the biggest concern with Frieda’s development and operation is the amount of poison the chemical arsenic will do the environment and the Sepik River ecology.
Do we, the Sepik River people, sacrifice our environment and the river ecosystem in the name of development or we live like this for the next 50 years? Do we allow Frieda to develop knowingly; the effects poison arsenic will cause to the river ecosystem, affecting our livelihood and way of life?
In any development such as mining, the effects on the natural or pristine environment will be total and forever, once the damage is done to a particular environment, it is total and forever as it can’t be brought back to its natural state prior to the development taken place. Fly River is the case in point. The only remedy is ‘COMPENSATION’.
Ensure, the Developer and the State will compensate all the River people particularly the lower Sepik people 20% of the earnings from the mine, for as long the mine operates, period.
Sacrifice Environment for money or vice versa. If Freida is to developed then definitely there will be serious damage caused to the environment specifically the mighty sepik river. Experience from OK Tedi should aid government in wise decision making.
Sepik river people are depending on that river. Why sacrifice their life for money??? Have the government try and has exhausted all the other avenues of generating revenue to the country??
A major dilemma – all parties need to approach this transparently.
Bottom line is community consent based on full knowledge of potential benefits and damage/hardship.
If that is not reached, all should agree to walk away from the project and invest in agriculture/fisheries.
East Sepik government support is contingent on review of the EIS and environment concerns
Because mepla nonap benefit lo em but bagarap kamap em Bai wanpla free bagarap where inogat Kaikai bilong em.
The problems with this country is that our own state institutions are complacent and do not do a good job.
These projects bring windfalls but those in authority failed miserably big time by not turning these windfalls into sustainable agriculture and strong access infrustuctre networks.
The projects are not renewable but agricultural sectors are. The long term and short term planning for a nation with captured windfalls from mining and petroleum evaporates into thin air. Then we want go and take over these projects or want more under what is called fairness.
The Frieda project took along time to materialize and it’s a big opportunity. However, PanAust taking it easy is a concern when they should be pushing for it. Is it related to politics or metal price?
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