Papua New Guinea's Wafi-Golpu mining project will start production of minerals five years after the construction phase, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Wera Mori says.
Speaking during the presentation on Wafi-Golpu deep sea tailings placement last week, Mori said the method that would be used for the copper/gold project would be block caving (underground hard rock mining method).
“Upon granting of the special mining lease, it will take at least five years to construct all necessary infrastructures at a cost of approximately US$5 billion (K17.48bil) before the first ounce of gold and pound of copper are produced,” he said.
Mori said he would grant Wafi-Golpu joint venture (WGJV) approval for an environmental permit following the recommendation of the environment council (EC) after the developer had met necessary environmental processes and requirements.
“The granting of the approval in principle will now pave way for the State negotiating team including representatives of the Morobe government to start discussions with the developer, WGJV, on a mine development contract,” Mori said.
“The minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change has 28 days from Sept 10, the date of the environment council decision to grant the approval in principle.
“The 28 days lapsed on Wednesday, Oct 7.”
Mori said because no formal appeals had been lodged against the EC decision during the 28-day period, he was required by law to grant the approval.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape urged concerned stakeholders to come up with a decision regarding the waste disposal method for the Wafi-Golpu project.
He said development of the project was important for the economy.
TheNational/PacificMiningWatch
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