US firm leaves Solwara project

SYDNEY: Ahead of their London annual general meeting, Anglo American has exclusively confirmed to the Deep Sea Mining Campaign that they have exited their investment in the Nautilus Minerals Solwara 1 deep sea mining project.
Dr Helen Rosenbaum, of the Deep Sea Mining Campaign said: “We are pleased that Anglo American engaged with us and listened to the concerns of coastal and islands communities in Papua New Guinea, whose environment and way of life would be devastated by Nautilus’s proposed Solwara 1 mine.”
“Anglo’s decision to dump their minority stake in this controversial and floundering company was the only option consistent with their international commitments to sustainability, human rights, and environmental stewardship.
“Deep sea mining is financially and environmentally risky. The legitimacy of the Solwara 1 project has been questionable right from the outset with independent reviews highlighting significant flaws in the Solwara 1 Environmental Impact Statement.”
Legal action launched by Papua New Guinean communities will also answer questions about whether the Solwara 1 project was lawfully approved. In the meantime, local communities have turned out in force at formal hearings held in New Ireland to object to the extension of Nautilus exploration licences.
Anglo’s decision reinforces the growing opposition to deep sea mining. Sir David Attenborough is the latest to add his voice against this hazardous and unnecessary emerging industry, describing the Solwara 1 project as “deeply tragic.”
Andy Whitmore of the Deep Sea Mining Campaign, who will attend the Anglo American AGM noted that: “In terms of financial and reputational risk, Anglo American have chosen a good time to be exiting.
“But for Nautilus, it looks like it could not have come at a worse time, and may well be the final nail in the coffin for this dangerous experiment.” – Deep Sea Mining Campaign