Study took years, says minister

MINISTER for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Wera Mori has confirmed that the environment impact study (EIS) into the Wafi-Golpu mining deep-sea tailings plan has taken years to complete.
He said while consultations had taken place, the EIS submission had to ensure that the study answered questions relating to the process and the host of the tailings.
“I would like to say that I do not advocate for the developer, consultation must take place and it is a requirement,” he said.
“The proposal undertaken is a survey on marine and waters. This survey is now before the environment council,” he said.
“There are checks on the depth to cover tailings if placed there and the point of discharge is what the survey was undertaken for,” Mori said.
The minister was responding to questions raised by Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu to clarify critical issues surrounding the proposed dumping of the mine waste into the Huon Gulf in a plan called the Deep Sea Tailings Plan (DSTP).