Environmental Concerns at Ok Tedi Mine in Papua New Guinea

The Ok Tedi mine, a major copper and gold mine in Papua New Guinea, has been generating acidic waste that poses significant environmental risks. According to managing director Keith Faulkner, acid rock drainage from the mine's waste has started to form, causing large patches of vegetation to die off. This phenomenon, which exposes sulfide-bearing tailings to air and water, forms sulfuric and other acids that dissolve metals into the river, contaminating ground and drinking water. The mine has been dumping millions of tonnes of waste into the Ok Tedi and Fly River systems for over two decades, resulting in widespread environmental degradation.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ok Tedi mine has been dumping up to 80 million tonnes of waste every year for the past 20 years into the Ok Tedi and Fly River systems.
• Acid rock drainage from the mine's waste has started to form, causing large patches of vegetation to die off.
• The formation of acid rock drainage exposes sulfide-bearing tailings to air and water, forming sulfuric and other acids that dissolve metals into the river.
• The mine's waste contains high levels of sulfur, which poses long-term management problems with acid rock drainage.
• The mine was previously majority owned by Australian mining giant BHP Billiton, but was sold to Papua New Guinea entities due to environmental concerns.
• The largest private listed stakeholder in the mine is Canada's Inmet Mining Corporation, which holds an 18% stake.

Statistics:

• 80 million tonnes of waste are dumped into the Ok Tedi and Fly River systems every year.
• The mine has been operating for 20 years, resulting in widespread environmental degradation.
• 1500 square kilometers of forest have died off due to flooding and waste dumping.
• The Ok Tedi mine contains high levels of sulfur, posing long-term management problems with acid rock drainage.

Sources:

• Asia Pulse, 11 Jan 1996
• Post Courier
• AFP (Agence France-Presse)