Enviro guide for mines launched
Post-Courier (PNG), Copyright 2000
November 7, 2000
A CODE of practice designed to help the government carry out its statutory responsibilities of monitoring and managing mining operations in the country has been adopted.
The Environmental Code of Practice for mining industries provides guidelines for the environmental management of mining operations agreed at international levels.
The code is a product of several months of negotiation between the Office of Environment and Conservation (OEC), the business community, mining industry, non-governmental organisations and other interested organisations.
The director of the Office of Environment and Conservation Dr Wari Iamo said at the signing yesterday that the code was very important for both the mining industry and his office.
He said the code gave a clear guidance and direction in the management and monitoring of environmental issues relating to mining projects in the country. The mining industry yesterday welcomed the code.
PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum president Dr Moseley Moramoro said they were aware of the code and had been involved in the discussions with the OEC.
Dr Iamo said the document had been developed and consulted in such a manner that it portrayed a “win-win” situation for OEC as the regulator and the mining industry as the user.“More importantly, there is ownership of the document by the industry and this has been echoed and emphasised throughout the development of the document,” Dr Wari said.
“Many comments received from the stakeholders during the consultation process have been incorporated in the document. Others have not been included due largely to the complexity of the issue.”
He gave an example of the option of “containment of mine tailings on site” and said that “while it may sound like a simple undertaking” in reality there where pros and cons associated with the option to adopt, that all stakeholders had to consider carefully before making a decision.
“While an option may be preferable due to the benefits to the environment, it may not be economically feasible and viable for the project,” he said.
“It is an issue associated with making sacrifices and ensuring that those who have sacrificed a right or have lost beneficial value are acknowledged when taking that final decision.”
Although it is not mandatory, things should not be taken lightly, said Dr Wari.
Dr Wari said the document contained the minimum environmental standard agreed to by the industry and OEC, with the mining sector expected to maintain a high level of environmental awareness as they compared their performance against those described in the code of practice.
He also said that OEC would have certain environmental standards or criteria prescribed by the law and the mining sector were expected to meet those mandatory standards.
The K4.1 million program was designed and funded by the European Union. They also provided a technical officer.