DEEP Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP) will not be 100 per cent safe as there will still be damage done to the environment, says Papua New Guinea's Salamaua local level government president Kolo Mathia.
Mathia made the statement during the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority’s (Cepa) visit to Buakap village for the Wafi-Golpu project’s DSTP awareness last week.
The Cepa delegation included Minister for Environment and Conservation Wera Mori at the request of Huon Gulf MP Ross Seymour.
Mathia had been in the mining industry for 35 years working with operations including Ok Tedi, Simberi and Lihir.
“Being in the system, I know when there is a blockage and total shut,” he said.
“We cannot contain but open the valve and just let it down the system into the river or down to the sea.
“Who knows, who cares, it’s gone.
“There will be wear and tear because of high pressure line.
“So there must be tight control when handling such operation and I want to acknowledge Cepa who have a done a great job to come and explain to the people on DSTP.”
Mathia urged the Government and the developers to find alternative solutions that can be beneficial. The National/ Pacific Mining Watch
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