Report into use of New Ireland river ready

 AN environment audit into the use of the Londolovit River in New Ireland is now ready, a Government official says.

Conservation and Environment Protection Authority officer Gabriel Luluaki said: “The Environment Protection Authority undertook an environment audit and the report is ready and will be presented to the concerned community and other stakeholders in Lihir in the week beginning 21st Sept, 2015”.

Luluaki said that yesterday following questions posed by The National after Lihir islanders demanded answers from the Government for the use of their water at Lihir Gold Mine. 

Spokeswoman Roselyn Arau said the mine sourced its water from Londolovit River and it had been one month since they had submitted a claim for K113 million to the Chief Secretary’s Office but have not received a feedback. 

She said the amount was a claim for use of water that was to be paid by operator of the Lihir Mine, Newcrest, on Government’s approval because the mine operator relied to deny payment on an existing agreement with Conservation and Environment Protection Authority under which the company paid the Government for environmental damages.

“For a fact, the mine is extracting water over and above the permitted rates therefore it has breached the terms of the water permit it holds. It must pay for over extraction.”