WSP opposes hydro tailings dam for project’s waste

By DALE LUMA
THE West Sepik government wants the Frieda River Mine project to go ahead but opposes any integrated storage facility or hydro tailings dam built to cater for the waste.
Governor Tony Wouwou presented the province’s environmental impact statement to the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) and said the concern was on the enormous environment and social implications if the dam collapsed.
West Sepik is proposing that a deep sea tailings placement system be built as done successfully at mines in Misima, Lihir, Ramu Nikel and the proposed Wafi-Golpu.
He said other waste management options should be considered such as identifying a site suitable for a tailings dam which did not had its system draining directly into the Sepik River.
“It’s a big multi-million kina copper and gold deposit in our province and we are concerned about the environmental impacts caused by the mine,” Wouwou said.
“But it’s always manageable and we can minimise it according to the studies that our experts put together.
“We can control and manage the waste so that we do not affect people living downstream the Sepik River.”
Cepa managing director Gunther Joku said the Frieda River mining project came under a level-three category in prescribed activities regulation.
“So when it is a level three project, it has to go through a rigorous assessment process.
“Eventually, the environment council considers the reports from all stakeholders and then a recommendation will go the Minister for Environment and Conservation to grant an approval in principle.
“Following that approval in principle, an environmental permit is granted.”