By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE National Government has approved the design and construction of deep-sea tailing pipe (DSTP) for Madang”s Ramu nickel and cobalt project, Ramu NiCo (MCC) has announced, The National reports.
The Environment and Conservation Department (DEC) and Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) gave the approval, the miner said in a statement.
MCC issued the statement in response to comments on DSTP and the blasting of corals along the route of its planned waste disposal pipeline using high explosives.
Fisheries Minister Ben Semri and Governor Sir Arnold Amet, in a joint media conference, said as leaders of the province, they wanted all environmental impact and social obligations made known to the people with consistent consultation among stakeholders.
They also pledged not to support activities associated with the blasting of coral life due to their harsh impact on marine life.
The blasting was planned to be operated this month and next month by a PNG licenced blaster.
It would be carried out within an area of 50m long and 5m wide, with two blasts each operating day.
Meanwhile, Ramu NiCo said all environmental impacts were “never” done in isolation and DEC and MRA were aware of the progress including the implementation plans.
Ramu NiCo said Brass-Resan-Candive, an American-Canadian Joint Venture contractor with vast experience in the engineering, procurement and construction of submarine tailing disposal facilities for international resources projects, had been contracted to carry out the Ramu DSTP.
The company said it would continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure Ramu DSTP was built according to high industry standard and best practices.
They said to minimise the environmental impact of tailings disposal of Ramu refinery at Basamuk, the neutralised wastes would be secured 150m undersea through the DSTP system and will include two pipelines with diameter of 800mm that will be laid on sea floor.
The environmental impact of this project is no different from all others which pretty much compromise the safety & sustainabiity of our natural environments, directly affecting our livelihoods....Whilst environmental mitigation is the measure to control the damages imposed, the issue at end of any large scale activity like this is not "Environmental Mitigation Exercises but rather a Compensatory Issue". There has to be a line drawn now, and our people fully compensated for the massive depletion and destruction of our natural environments. PNG is not a dumping ground for wastes. This is a country, and people's lives depend very much on their surrounding environment, whether it be at the sea, in the plains, the mountains. Enough is enough. Change the Acts..DEC/ MRA wake up...So much for environmental policies. guidelines, acts, etc...Yet so much wealth is driven out of the country, we are only left with huge dums, craters and the list goes on.
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