A GOVERNMENT delegation visited St Barbara to see projects it is undertaking on the island to protect the marine and terrestrial environment and its efforts to mitigate the impacts of mining.
The St Barbara’s Simberi operations is planning to move to sulphide mining.
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| Simberi Mine site . Photo course : Simberi Mine |
Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) officers accompanied Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister Wera Mori for the visit.
They were briefed on the waste disposal method being used in the project and future waste disposal plans for sulphide mining.
Simberi resumed mining last month following a mine incident stoppage in May.
Mori encouraged St Barbara to ensure Simberi – as a member of the PNG’s mining industry which the country was dependent on – remains a significant contributor to the national economy.
“It is the industry (mining) that’s responsible for keeping the country going,” he said.
“This is not because you generate revenue for your company, shareholders and employees, but also the country derives revenue from this project and it is in our (Government’s) interest to see that you get back into production.”
The team were also shown the cocoa farm and nursery.
“You’re way ahead with your end of mine life programmes here at Simberi,” Mori said.
“The mine will come and go, but the landowners must be able to support themselves beyond mine life, and this project is a good way to sustain their livelihoods.”
Mori also visited the Government-run and St Barbara-supported Maragon sub-health centre and the Simberi Primary School.
He pledged a commitment of K20,000 to the school for books for its new library which was built and handed over by St Barbara in July.
Simberi operations acting general manager Kevin Woodward thanked the minister for visiting the project.
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