Pundari eyes assessment of mine

By LUKE KAMA
ENVIRONMENT Conservation and Climate Change Minister John Pundari says a detailed environmental impact assessment will be done on the Wafi-Golpu gold and copper mine in Morobe to ensure best environment practices are employed.
Pundari gave this assurance in Parliament yesterday when responding to concerns from Markham MP Koni Iguan regarding possible environmental impacts of the mine.
Iguan said the mine would impact the environments of Markham, Bulolo, Huon Gulf and Menyamya districts.
Iguan said based on past experiences of mining activities in the country, like Ok Tedi in Western, Wafi-Golpu was expected to pose a substantial threat to the wellbeing of the people and environment.
This included the Markham River, the lifeline of many communities, and asked what steps would be taken to ensure the mine was operated in a way that did not cause harm to the people and environment.
Pundari said as far as Wafi-Golpu was concerned, an environment inception report had already been provided to his organisation, the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa).
“Whilst we consider extractive industries like mining to be a significant contributor to the growth of our economy, we must also seriously consider their impacts to the environment because our people are dependent on environment for their daily lives,” he said.
“Best environment practices and standards are a legal requirement that must always be followed and adhered to.
“As far as Wafi is concerned, an environment inception report has been provided to Cepa.
“The developer is carrying out a detailed environmental impact assessment.
“Cepa will be going through this and assess properly in detail.
“Peer reviews will be done thoroughly for input from the public and experts, and will go through the Environment Council before I give my final approval.”
Pundari said the developer was looking at the options of building a terrestrial dam tailing facility to treat mine waste and deep sea tailings placement into the Huon Gulf.
He said Cepa would ensure best environment practices and standards were adhered to by the developers.