PNG ranks badly in mining

PAPUA New Guinea’s mining industry has found itself at the bottom of a survey conducted by the Canada-based Fraser Institute on mining companies.
The country was ranked 60 out of 64 countries.
The Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies was sent to 1,435 exploration, development, and mining consulting companies around the world.
The survey represents responses from 322 of those companies. The companies participating in the survey reported exploration spending of $US1.83 billion (K5.7 billion) in 2005 and of $US1.31 billion (K4.7 billion) in 2004.
Mining Minister Sam Akoitai, however, questioned the credibility of the report saying that PNG was one of the countries in the world that was upfront in terms of addressing many of the areas that were asked in the survey.
“We always talk to our landowners before we start any mining developments in their areas,” Mr Akoitai said. “We are also seeing an increase in the number of companies both current and new applying for exploration licences.”
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Has this something to do with the fail PNG-Queensland gas pipeline??

Now that this has come up, I am just curious about the waste disposal methods that are in place at the mine sites and how effective they are.

Over six months ago I saw a program on EMTV, forgot what it was called. I could see that the vegetation along the fly river have dried up leaving the soil exposed to erosion. What scared me is that if the vegetation is drying up, surely the waste has somehow leaked into the waterway and killed all the plant life along the banks of the river. Now, that means the fish have also taken in the chemicals and the fish are a part of the food chain so the ordinary village people along the fly are at risk of becoming ill after considerate amount of chemical in the fish is consumed. Some of the disease contracted are deadly and people are dying but no one knows why.

Personally, I blame this on the mines and the government of the day. There has to be a proper procedure in place so that waste from the mines are disposed in the most effective way rather than endangering people's lives.


Who knows, it could be the failed gas pipelines or our mine sites do not meet the criteria and standards that the others around the world are using.

Come on miners, give us some inside information.

ref: http://www.thenational.com.pg/031407/nation1.htm

River system contaminated

By HARLYNE JOKU
HIGH levels of toxic metals have been found in the blood samples of people living along the Auga and Angabanga rivers of Central province, a recent study conducted by Dr Sylvestor Kotapu and Associates of Australia has revealed.
Dr Kotapu made a shocking presentation yesterday of evidence of toxic heavy metal in blood samples of indigenous Goilala and Mekeo people from chemicals discharged from the multi-billion kina Tolokuma Gold Mine.
Tolokuma Gold Mine was operated formerly by DRD Durban Rooderpoort Deep, a South African Company and now under its subsidiary Emporer Mines.
Dr Kotapu, a senior pathology registrar at the South Sydney Area Health NSW Liverpool and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals flew in with his associates to PNG in June last year, travelled to villages along the Auga and Angabanga rivers and collected 500 blood samples from people living in Gnagnafua, Inaui, Amoamo and Ororopaitana villages.
The samples were tested at the laboratory at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Dr Kotapu said 100% of the human blood samples had high levels of toxic metals of lead, arsenic, mercury and cyanide. And the people have accessed the high toxic metals through the river system where they wash, drink and fish from.
He said the effects are detrimental.
People who have high levels of toxic metals will live a much worse experience than HIV/AIDS victim, the study found.
Diseases such as cancer, abnormalies, low IQs, deformity, infertility and prolonged illnesses will occur amongst the community. The impact would be for years, he said.
Dr Kotapu said treatment of toxification was not readily available and was costly but prevention is the appropriate law.
He stressed that specific mining laws had to be legislated to protect mining communities from the impact of mine operations.
Dr Kotapu’s study confirms previous studies by McDonald and Oxfam study on Tolukuma Gold Mine commissioned by the Catholic Church and another independent study by the Department of Environment and Conservation on the build-up of heavy metals in the Central river systems.
Dr Kotapu’s study was commissioned by the Central provincial government after receiving numerous reports from village communities of mysterious illnesses and deaths in Angabanga villages.
He gave a power point presentation of his study at the Central provincial government assembly yesterday.
Dr Kotapu said he had met the Central Governor Alphonse Moroi, who was on a trip in Sydney last year and was told of concerns of some mysterious deaths from bush Mekeo villages along the Auga and Angabanga areas.
Governor Moroi asked Dr Kotapu to carry out a study on the impact on people.
Governor Moroi said Dr Kotapu’s samples on human blood samples of mine affected areas were tested in accredited laboratories in US and Sydney.
He said the results of the samples confirmed the communities’ and previous commissioned reports’ conclusions that a build-up of heavy metals accumulated from waste allegedly dumped by the Tolukuma Gold Mine was evident and that marine and aquatic food chains were contaminated.
Mr Moroi added that the results will also have an input in the review of the Tolukuma memorandum of understanding (MoA), which was being delayed by the Department of Mines and TGM.
He added that the implications of metal build-up in communities was detrimental and that the examples of Bougainville Copper Mine crisis and environmental degradation at Ok Tedi should not be repeated.
Mr Moroi immediately called a PEC meeting yesterday to decide on immediate and long terms measures the Central provincial government would take to address the issue. Issues such as a tailings dam, compensation and having specific legislation to protect the people would be decided then.
Officials at the mine could not be contacted for comments yesterday.














That must have been caused by the cyanide spill near Tolokuma mines some years back. Now, a couple of years later, it got into the waterways and ended up in human blood samples. No one was held responsible that time. This might be the right time for the green peace to step in and do the ground work and get the people responsible to answer to this.

Actually, most of the toxic elements come due to improper waste storage and treatment facility from mines. Ok Tedi mine for example bursted it Tailing dam in late 90s or early 2000. Tolokuma Mine probably don't have proper tailing dam. So Leachates have adversely effected surrounding surface and ground water. Hence, unnaturally high concentrations of some chemical elements over a large area of surface or subsurface. To mitigate these problems water should be continuously monitored at mines. I think Tolokuma mine is resposible.

fren

Our leaders are not only dumb and stupid(according to Dr. Marat) but rather ignorant, selfish and intellectualy blind. All they care about is the rewards that they will get after another deal is signed. It seems like they do not really care about the livelihood of the simple people(who put them into parliament in the first place) that live around where the mines are. Sad to say this but the love of money has truely blinded our leaders.





REF: http://www.thenational.com.pg
A mining genocide: Dr Marat

By HARLYNE JOKU
“Catastrophic” and “a mining genocide”.
This was how Dr Allan Marat, chairman of the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC), described the alleged gradual poisoning of villagers living along the two rivers in Central province where Tolukuma Gold Mine is dumping its toxic mine tailings.
Dr Marat had also branded PNG leaders as “dumb and stupid” for allowing foreign mining companies to operate without a tailings dam.
He called on the Government especially Mining Minister Sam Akotai to seriously look at recent findings by a pathology expert on the high levels of toxic metals in blood samples of people living in the vicinity of the Auga and Angabanga Rivers in Central province.
The findings showed that toxic metals came from the mining waste dumped into the rivers by the multi-billion Tolukuma Gold Mine.
Dr Marat declared that foreign mining companies operating in Papua New Guinea must treat Papua New Guineans as human beings – not animals.
TGM used to be operated by South African mining company DRD Durban Rooderpoorte Deep until it was taken over by its subsidiary Emperor Mines.
Dr Marat urged Mr Akoitai to place a moratorium on further mining activities until a specific legislation is put in place to force out mining companies on building tailings dams for their toxic wastes.
He said the revelations of the study were “frightening” and “shocking” and that the river communities “could become extinct in a space of years as a result of toxic contamination”.
Dr Marat described the situation as “catastrophic” and a “mining genocide”.
“I was most horrified when we were briefed by Dr Kotapu on his findings.
“It is disturbing evidence that toxic metal levels in the people’s blood streams are extremely high.
“It must be seriously considered a real disaster and mining genocide. The people will face extinction,” Dr Marat said.
The study titled Mining and Chemical Pollution of Indigenous PNG People was conducted by Dr Sylvester Kotapu and Associates from Australia.
The study revealed that high levels of arsenic, zinc, mercury and lead were found in 500 blood samples taken from Goilala and Mekeo people living along the two rivers into which TGM dumps its mine waste and tailings.
The study was commissioned by Central province Governor Alphonse Moroi after his office received continuous reports of mysterious deaths and illness of the river people.
Dr Kotapu also made a presentation to Dr Marat and the Constitution and Law Reform Commission last Monday before presenting the study to Central provincial government.
He said the State must now place a moratorium on all mining operations in the country while responsible departments put together a legislation that imposes the building of mine tailings dam.
Dr Marat cited the Bougainville Jaba River and Ok Tedi Mine communities’ experiences, saying their experiences had fallen on deaf ears.
He said the CLRC was seriously looking at the issue and conduct research to table a report to Parliament recommending a new law drawn for mining companies to comply with in building a tailings dam.
TGM said it was responding to the findings in a statement yesterday.
Meanwhile, Government agencies such as the Mining and Environment and Conservation departments have been tightlipped on the controversy.





Report surprises miner

THE media has overlooked the presence of many illegal alluvial gold miners along the river system who had introduced mercury into the river on regular basis in the course of extracting gold.
This was the reaction from Emperor Mines general manager for Papua New Guinea operations Brad Sampson yesterday to media reports detailing claims contained in a report regarding his company’s dumping of toxic mine tailings into Auga and Angabanga rivers.
The study was conducted by Dr Sylvester Kota-pu for the Central provincial government.
Mr Sampson said he had yet to be given the courtesy of a copy of the report.
“I would have thought that any reasonable study would have involved input from the mine, even if only to answer background questions to assist in preparing the methodology for a study and I am surprised at the way this study has been handled,” Mr Sampson said.
Emperor Mines, owner and operator of Tolukuma mine, expressed surprise and concern over the media reports, and voiced its disappointment at the way in which the issue has been handled. Mine management said it had not seen the report nor has been informed that any such study has been reported.
Mr Sampson said the mine conducted regular systematic and routine testing to monitor tailings discharged into the river, which includes control sampling of differentiate mine discharges from contaminants introduced by other parties.
“Tolukuma mine staff has already intervened at least once to provide medical assistance to a downstream family who ingested a commercially sourced mercury compound,” Mr Sampson, said adding that, “it is naïve to think that such a case would be isolated.”
“Of course, we welcome an informed dialogue on the health impacts on people downstream of the mine and have since late last year been in dialogue with Oxfam Australia and PNG’s Centre for Environmental Research and Development to effectively engage with this issue,” Mr Sampson said.
He further noted that as for the current report the mine’s management would not be able to make further comment until “we have had a chance to review the report and examine any findings it may make”.



Below are some of the similar reports of what is happening in the other two other provinces.



Cyanide found in waterways

By ZACHERY PER
SUBSTANTIAL amounts of toxic cyanide spillage were identified in streams around the now abandoned Mt Victor Gold Mine near Kainantu, Eastern Highlands province.
An investigation by Enrowater Consultants Ltd, confirmed presence of cyanide in streams near the mine.
Evidences of cyanide presence were further confirmed by an analysis conducted by the University of Technology’s National Analysis Laboratory (ANL) in Lae, Morobe province.
It re-affirmed that creeks and streams that flow down from the mine’s tailing dam showed serious evidences of cyanide.
The report confirmed 13 people from villages near the mine had died from swollen bodies, constrictions, and vomiting of blood.
Sources from Mt Victor told The National that several babies were born with deformities and two elderly men namely Nandake Auto and Jacob had been hospitalised.
Medical records of those who died between 2000 and 2003 had similar symptoms and cyanide was also found in their blood. The sources said these deaths were reported for the investigation, but many others remain unreported.
The Mt Victor Gold Mine was in full operation between 1987 and 1991 and was situated 25km east of Kainantu town and 17km east of Aiyura valley in Obura-Wonenara district high in the mountains with Yonki dam and the Ramu River located below it.
It was believed that after a few years, the impact of the spillage was likely to affect the fertile Arona valley that houses the Yonki water reservoir which generates electricity for Lae, Madang and the five highlands provinces.
Likewise, small streams that feed the Ramu River system were also likely to come under serious threats of the cyanide contamination.
The investigation report on Mt Victor socio-economic impact assessment on the landowners was compiled in September 2003.
The report cited by The National on Tuesday said the impact on the lives of the people was experienced 10 years after the closure of the mine.
The report stated that the most affected were the villages situated near small creeks and valleys situated below the mine site.
The alleged cyanide spillage and its effects also threatens the future of the Yonki dam that supplies fresh fish for locals and the future of the small streams that flow into the Ramu River system.
“Since its closure in 1991, people’s health has turned for the worst, it is very evident that the people of Sairoa No.1 and No.3 including Omaura villagers will suffer the drastic impacts of cyanide pollution,” the report stated.





Alarm over cyanide in ENB

By ELIZABETH VUVU
THERE have been concerns raised on the destruction and pollution of the environment when transporting 18 tonnes of cyanide to Sinivit Gold Mine in East New Britain province.
Last week, cyanide chemicals were taken into Sinivit on big container trucks after being shipped to Rabaul.
It was reported that full scale mining and crushing started last month with the establishment of an 80-man camp.
It also covered an office, logistics, mobile equipment, mining contractor and mining equipment, vehicles, explosives, cyanide storage area, maintenance facilities, sample preparation facilities, all mine roads, including mine haul roads, crushing plant and a gold extraction plant were already on site.
A notice was issued saying that the cyanide chemical would pollute, destroy the green environment and urged the provincial government to stop the operation.
There were also rumours that landowners had set up a roadblock near the mining site to stop trucks moving the cyanide into the mine site. Cyanide is used for the extraction of gold and without it, gold cannot be extracted.
It stated that as Sinivit was the headwaters of all river systems in the province, the use of cyanide could destroy and pollute the water system and the environment.

PNG has yet to see a true leader. A new age leader will do, someone who has not been influenced by the colonial masters. Someone who knows how to do things properly and knows how to take care of his people.
Someone who knows all the aspects of the economy and the bits and pieces that ties everything together.

ref://www.thenational.com.pg

From the reports in last week's paper which was pasted up there, the mine operators are shifting the blame elsewhere. The emperor mine general manager said the media has overlooked the presence of many illegal alluvial gold miners along the river system who had introduced mercury into the river on regular basis in the course of extracting gold.

This is unbelievable, he is trying to pull bits and pieces here and there to make himself look good. Only a fool will believe him.



Mine operator urged to accept pollution of river systems

By HARLYNE JOKU
PEOPLE are being poisoned and dying as a result of chemical poisoning in the Auga and Angabanga River systems of the Central province and Emperor Mines must accept that, Dr Sylvester Kotapu, senior pathology registrar of South Sydney Area Health, NSW, and Liverpool and Royal Prince Alfred hospitals in Sydney, Australia, said yesterday.
Dr Kotapu said there was evidence of people suffering defects and dying as a result of chemical poisoning among communities in the vicinity of the rivers in bush Mekeo downstream of multi billion kina Tolukuma Gold Mine.
Tolukuma Gold Mine is operated by Emperor Mines, a subsidiary of South African Durban Rooderpoorte Deep.
“Emperor Mines and other existing mines must come to their sense and accept the facts in relation to river pollution instead of questioning them,” Dr Kotapu said.
Dr Kotapu was responding to Emperor Mines, who have expressed doubt over the validity of his report. Emperor Mines also said the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital showed no public record of Dr Kotapu.
Dr Kotapu said he welcomed Emperor Mines or any concerned parties’ queries on the credibility of his profession and study and welcomed them to contact him and discuss their concerns.
“They (mining companies) always do that. That is their trademark. They avoid the scientific facts , discredit our tests and always question credibility,” he said.
Dr Kotapu said he was registered with the Medical Board of New South Wales, the Victorian Medical Board, and the Medical Board of PNG and is currently senior pathology registrar of the South Sydney Area health NSW, Liverpool and Royal Prince Alfred hospitals. He was on transit of positions from RPA to South Sydney Area Health Hospital when he was commissioned by the Central provincial government to do the study for the past eight months.
Dr Kotapu added that he would stand by his finding, which currently was in the hands of the Central provincial government.
Dr Kotapu collected 500 blood samples from the river people last June and had them tested in the chemical pathology laboratory of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
Results showed high levels of toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury and zinc.
Dr Kotapu presented the findings of his study titled “Mining and Chemical Pollution and; Heavy Metal Poisoning of the Indigenous People of Papua New Guinea” to the Central provincial government and the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission last week.

The people had the right to know where they stand in all of these, since mines are springing up everywhere like nobody's business and people are dying.


ref: http://www.thenational.com.pg

Mine told to confirm environmental plan

THE Sinivit local level government is demanding the developer of Wild Dog gold mine in East New Britain, MacMin Limited to confirm if it has an environmental plan in place before the actual mining operation gets underway.
LLG president Boniface Setavo raised the question early last week during a briefing with community leaders and representatives of the landowner groups, who would be directly affected by the mining operations.
They discussed among key issues the environmental effect the mine would cause on land and rivers.
The meeting was organised by the LLG president after learning that up to 18 tonnes of the cyanide had been shipped into Rabaul for the Wild Dog mining operations last week.
Mr Satevo said the cyanide shipment triggered off widespread fears among the Sinivit communities over the safety of their environment.
They demanded for an awareness and community relation visit to clear any misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, a reliable source within the company who did not wished to be named, said he did not understand why the shipment of cyanide into ENB was being made a big issue and that the government was aware of the use of the chemical and had approved it.

Emperor questions Tolukuma study

Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Chris Cann

EMPEROR Mines has expressed serious doubt over the validity of a report aired through the PNG media early this week that claimed locals downstream from the junior's Tolukuma gold mine had returned high levels of toxic heavy metals in blood samples, prompting threats of mine closure from the Provincial Government.

I know Dr Kotapu personally and professionally.

I can testify that Dr Kotapu is not only a medical doctor but a very interlligent scientist.

The report should not be discredited.

Mining companies, no matter where you are, will dump waste into rivers either deliberately or because of improper waste disposal systems and lie outright in your face. Thats what they do! They don't give a rat's ass about the ordinary peoples' health. Their concern is focused on the stock market exchange rate for their companies because they have to maxmimise their share holders' profit.

Our own Dept. of Env.& Consv. seem to be serving the mining companies and not protecting the people.

A friend of mine was working for the Tolokuma Mines and he found the work conditions for the underground mine workers appalling, to say the least. What he told me was that the underground mine system was a total health hazard (dark, dusty due to no ventilation system). There is only one way for atmospheric air to go in and underground air comes out the same way. In the standard systems, atmosheric air has to be pumped in and with fans inside the underground shaft to ventilate the air and a different exit route for the air from the underground mine shaft. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AT TOLOKUMA MINE.

At that time, the Dept. Env. & Consv. knew about the system and did nothing. Infact, they approved the opening of the mine knowing well the substandard ventilatory system for underground mine. And I would assume the same for a tailings dump.

My friend did his own investigation, along with help from friends in Dept. Env. Cons. incuding the Dept. of Mining and when the Tolokuma Mining found out, he was sacked!!

Fellow PNGeans, corruption is well and truely has been engraved into PNG public departments. It is now a culture. Culture of corruption. And that is frightening. To Quote Sir Mekere, "Corruption is systematic and systemic". Its endemic! IT IS NOW A CULTURE! And how we can remove a culture?

Its a tough question, its a tough job and will take tough people with tough minds to remove this corruption culture.

I agree totally with you Dr. Who. Corruption has become a way of life among that group and indeed, it is endemic. Now, that explains why a leader with a good reputation before the elections suddenly becomes corrupt and it makes us wonder why.

The mines operator should just own up instead of questioning the study. They thought they were getting away with it. They had no idea PNG has professionals who will stop them in their tracks and make them look stupid.

A study well done, Dr. Kotapu, hats off to you, colleague. You have put them where they belong so that they do not mess with our people and endanger more lives.

Yes a Job well done by Dr. Kotapu for exposing evil practises and corrupted intentions.

I remember there was a class action taken out by the people living along the ok tedi-fly river. Ok Tedi knew it had done a lousy job decided to settle out of court for a hefty K26m (plis clarify). It may be the same now..I hope the people ar resilent and take on the company....that reminds me, big companies like this tend to use delay techniques in lawsuites..they have the money to play around with...I think the provincal government and national government must assist asap.

Hi everyone,
Am just wondering if any of you have seen the press release by the Hon. MP. regarding the study by Dr. Kotapu. I could not cut/paste because the article is not included in the online newspaper.
I will have to manually put it down for you all to see.

For those who have seen the press release, what do you all think?


In my opinion, there is no substance there. It is just a waste of space.