Waste policy for non-mining townships

THE National Waste and Chemical Management Policy currently in its draft consultation process will only apply to municipal areas once passed, but not to mining townships, an official has clarified.
Michael Wau, director for environment protection wing of non-renewable resource sector under the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa), said mining townships like Lihir, Tabubil and Bulolo would be answerable to waste management systems of their respective mine operators.
Wau said mines were a different jurisdiction.
“We (Cepa) issue environmental permits to all those mining operators so under that legal framework, there are requirements for mine operator to put in place their own system in how they manage the towns and their waste,” he said.
Cepa’s infrastructure utilities and convention branch manager Veari Kula further clarified that the policy would also not cover all waste streams like mine waste.
“Mine waste generated through mines is also outside of this policy’s scope because there are initiatives in place with respect to development of mine waste policy,” he said.
“Mine waste is actually more complex and in many countries is a standalone policy in itself.”
Kula said other waste streams that were out of this policy’s scope were trade waste which was covered by the trade waste policy.