Ramu NiCo discharge site tested

AN independent international consultancy firm successfully conducted a marine monitoring programme along the coastline of Basamuk, Madang, over the past four weeks.
Basamuk, in Raicoast, is where the country’s first nickel/cobalt mine developer RamuNiCo Management (MCC) discharges its wastes using the deep-sea tailings placement (DSTP) technology.
International consultancy Ian Hargreaves and Associate Scientists completed the monitoring programme using the ship mv Mornitoringprogramor, a special marine vessel from Collins Shipping Service Ltd, with other scientific accessories travelled in from Australia.
Marine monitoring is one of the environmental studies conducted after every five years of production to comprehensively assess the potential impact caused to the marine ecosystem by project operation activities and DSTP operation status.
The completed independent report on the monitoring programme will be provided to the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa).
RamuNiCo Management had earlier clarified the marine monitoring programme during the Ramu project update meeting organised by the Mineral Resources Authority at Jais Aben Resort in Madang last week.
Corporate health safety and environment (HSE) supervisor Steve Opur made a presentation on the environment monitoring programme and other environment-related activities which the company conducts to stakeholders.
Several questions and issues were raised at the meeting, which company environment officers along with an officer from Cepa explained to the stakeholders.
The Ramu project update meeting was attended by stakeholders including Government representatives from MRA, Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC), National Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board (NATTB), Madang provincial administration, landowner association chairmen and women representatives.