PNG governor boycotts signing deal

Harlyne Joku
A Papua New Guinea Governor is boycotting the signing of a reviewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with Tolukuma Gold Mines in the Central mountains of PNG, operated by multi-billion kina South African gold mining company, Emperor Mines.

Governor Alphonse Moroi says he will not sign any agreement with the mining company that will continue to allow toxic waste to be dumped into the Auga and Angabanga river systems.
Moroi is pushing for a tailings dam to be built and if successful Tolukuma would be the first mine in PNG to have a tailings dam.

He says PNG must learn from the experiences of its former giant mines including Bougainville Copper Mine and Ok Tedi which operated without a tailings dam, resulting in huge environmental and economic losses.

Moroi is adamant the levels of heavy metals have accumulated in the river systems throughout the Tolukuma operations in the past 10 years.

“I will not sign a document that will have detrimental effects on the livelihood of my people,” he said.

But PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister and Mining Minister Dr Puka Temu signed the MOA on behalf of the PNG state. He told representatives of Tolukuma Gold Mine that Governor Moroi and the Central Administration were not available for the signing due to certain disagreements.

The Tolukuma gold mine is located about 90 kilometres from Port Moresby, but there are no roads linking it to the PNG capital. Instead, the mine operates on a fly in fly out basis.

Moroi in his first term as governor had negotiated for the mine to construct a road from Tolukuma to Port Moresby but the company refused to do so.

In 2005, Governor Moroi engaged a consultant to conduct a study into the mysterious deaths of river communities. The study carried out by pathologist Dr Sylvester Kotapu revealed that the blood samples from the people who had direct contact with the river showed high levels of toxic lead including mercury.

Tolukuma Gold Mine has since denied the mine is responsible for the contamination.

The PNG Government has set up a team to conduct an independent study into the revelations by Dr Kotapu.
Governor Moroi backed by his provincial administrator Raphael Yipmaramba boycotted the signing of the memorandum of understanding at Port Moresby’s Crown Plaza Hotel.

Moroi wants Tokuluma mine to include in the reviewed MOA—
• The construction of a tailings dam.
• Immediate medical attention to the affected river population who allegedly have high toxic levels of lead .
• A tax credit scheme which will allow for a road to be constructed.

Moroi had earlier asked the mine and the national government, including Dr Temu, Governor of the Central Province of Papua New Guinea, to consider his input to the review.

Moroi said currently Tolukuma Gold Mine spends over K100 million annually for transportation by air but cannot construct a road which would cost about K50 million.

“To build a road will be a bonus to the remote local people who will have access to Port Moresby to sell their produce,” he said.

Moroi further alleges that Tolukuma mine has failed to disclose the total ore deposit and other activities it is conducting without the extension of its mining lease. This matter also is pending in court.