Scientist opposes deep sea tailings proposal

A LOCAL marine biologist says that Wagang in Morobe is not a good spot for deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) as proposed.
Prof Ralph Mana from the biological sciences division at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), said there were two major currents flowing opposite each other at the proposed DSTP site.
“This means that tailings will be transported in both directions – Salamaua way as well as Finschhafen way through the Vitiaz Strait,” he said.
According to Prof Mana, a model from the Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV) DSTP environmental impact study (EIS) showed that about 60 per cent of tailings would not reach the Markham canyon which is 4-6km away from the pipe orifice.
But referring to studies by Prof Ora Renagi (University of Technology), Prof Mana said 80 per cent of sediments from the Markham River were not found in Markham canyon “and no one knows where it goes”.
“Therefore, it is not true that tailings will flow into the canyon because when it gets into suspension, it will follow what the river sediments are doing and that is not to flow into the canyon,” he said.
“So after going through the EIS, I would confidently say that less than 10 per cent of tailings might find the canyon, if at all, and the rest will spread in all directions to distances as far as 30km.”
Prof Mana said he was concerned with the lack of marine research before special mining leases were granted to other mines in the country that used DSTP method for disposal.
“Damage done by tailings is so serious that ecosystems of the area are basically destroyed permanently and no recovery to its original state can happen.”