Seabed mining does not make sense

I REFER to the so-called first of its kind, world-class seabed mining spearheaded by Nautilus Minerals.
The world’s first proposed experimental sea­bed mining project does not justify the risks of environmental impacts and harm caused to the marine life.
The Solwara 1 mine site in the Bismarck Sea is tiny compared to traditional land-based mines that it does not make any economic sense.
While traditional mines commonly produce up to 500 million tonnes of ore, the Solwara 1 mine will produce less than three million tonnes.
This means there are no compelling economic arguments to rush into this project while scientific and environmental concerns remain unanswered, local people remain opposed and the necessary laws and regulations do not exist.
Nautilus Minerals, owners of the Solwara 1 mine, says production will last less than two years based on the proposed production of 1.2 million tonnes of ore in year one and 1.8 million tonnes the following year.
In comparison, the Ok Tedi mine processes some 22 million tonnes of ore per year and still has resources of at least 350 million tonnes. 
The Ramu nickel mine has resources of 143 million tonnes of ore, and will process at some five million tonnes per year.
Papua New Guinea’s economy, with numerous other mines and the multi-billion kina LNG project under construction, clearly does not need Solwara 1.
There is no need to rush into this project especially when Nautilus has yet to announce where the ore will be processed and how it will dispose of the toxic waste material.

Pyatis Tange
Via email