Govt in talks on future of Ok Tedi, says Laimo
Copyright 2000 The National (PNG)
December 13, 2000
THE ongoing debate about the impact of the Ok Tedi gold and copper mine on the environment and the future of BHP's involvement in Ok Tedi are issues that the Government is currently addressing, Mining Minister Michael Laimo has said.
Mr Laimo, who took over from Sir Michael Somare as Minister in the recent reshuffle by Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta, said the Government had begun discussions with BHP over its proposed exit from the project and the conditions that may apply to any such exit.
He said the Government expects these discussions to continue for some time before resolutions are made on all of the issues associated with this process.
Neither the Government nor the affected communities, he said, wish to see the mine closed before the end of its economic life.
He said what the Government must try to do is identify feasible and cost effective methods to minimise the impact of the mine on both the environment and the communities.
What the Government is most concerned about is to leave behind sustainable economic and social benefits for the affected communities, he said.
"We need to help them to adjust to both the changes which they are experiencing in their physical environment and we must also prepare them for life beyond the mine when the levels of economic activity and services are likely to decline," he added.
"Clearly there are still challenges and issues to deal with at Ok Tedi, and at other mine sites.
"I am hopeful our new sustainable development policy will guide the industry and the affected communities in future so that we will see better planned, and more sustainable benefits come from mining to our affected communities."
Mr Laimo said as the Government continues to develop an appropriate policy framework for mineral development, and look at improving the delivery of services to our people so that harmonious working relationships can be developed between the mining industry and the communities in which they work.
"I believe we need effective policies, and the capacity to implement them, to ensure that our people receive lasting benefits from mining," he said.
Mr Laimo said our people must receive lasting and sustainable benefits from the use of their land, rather than feeling that they bear only the costs.
He said he believed that "we can look forward with confidence to a better future for the mining industry and for the people".
He said the Government is serious about addressing the issues as they come up, adding by putting in place appropriate policies to guide the relationship between the industry and communities "we can provide confidence to developers that their investments are secure".
He said partnership was needed to realise the value of the nation's mineral wealth.