INDEPENDENT NEWS

PNG denies cabinet to close Ok Tedi mine early

Published: Sat 3 Jun 2006 05:44 PM
PNG Deputy PM denies reports cabinet to close Ok Tedi mine early
Papua New Guinea’s deputy prime minister has dismissed reports that he said cabinet has voted to shut down the operations of the Ok Tedi copper mine in 2010.
The Post Courier newspaper had reported that Sir Moi Avei recently told stakeholders that the decision was made after Ok Tedi failed to come up with practical solutions to its environment management plan.
Both the government and the management of Ok Tedi are under pressure over how to respond to the mine’s increasing acid rock drainage which is damaging ecosystems along the Ok Tedi and Fly rivers.
But Sir Moi says that Ok Tedi is doing its level best to address the problem, and he denies that cabinet wants to shut down the operations early...
“The Ok Tedi mine is proposed to close about 2012, if memory serves me correct. But cabinet’s concern is finding an environmental solution. So the board is supposed to come to cabinet with a concrete proposal of the environmental solution.”
Sir Moi Avei
Radio New Zealand International
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.

Next in World

View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media