WGJV spends K30mil on environment study

By JUNIOR UKAHA
Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture (WGJV), developer of the multi-billion-kina Wafi-Goplu mine in Morobe, has spent K30 million to compile an environment impact statement (EIS).
Spokesperson Dr Graham Hancock clarified this last week at a forum in Lae.
This was after Bulolo MP Sam Basil raised questions about the impact of mining on the environment in the special mining lease, pipeline and waste dumping areas.
Basil said environmental problems experienced at Hidden Valley in Bulolo and other mines around the country should not be repeated at Wafi-Golpu.
Hancock, who is also general manager (social performance) of Newcrest Mining, said WGJV had done a detailed study into the environment as required by the Conservation Environment and Protection Authority (Cepa).
“We have submitted our EIS to Cepa and they are currently reviewing that statement,” he said.
“To give you an understanding of how detailed that statement is, it is 6800 pages long.
“We have spent K30 million on our studies.” Hancock said most of the money was spent on studying the oceanography and intricacies of the ocean environment near Wagang where mining wastes would be discharged.
“There are always environmental impacts of every (mining) project,” he said.
“It is inevitable.
“Our job, however, is to minimise that so that it does not affect the lives of the people.”
Hancock assured Basil that WGJV was doing things “right”.
“We are putting a huge amount of effort to ensure that our environmental impacts are not repeating the mistakes of the past,” he said.
“Cepa will go through the statement and convene a meeting for people to review the statement.
“It is separate process, a separate forum.
“Cepa has already engaged internationally-recognised consultants to review and critique our EIS.
“They have engaged some of the world’s best scientists to tell them whether we are telling the truth or not.
“We have put a lot of efforts into that study. You can be assured that we have done it right.”