OTML client to pressure BHP
Post-Courier (PNG), Copyright 2000
November 10, 2000
ONE of Ok Tedi Mining Ltd’s major German clients has said it would use its influence to ensure Australian mining giant BHP was held responsible for environmental damages at the mine.
Representatives of copper buyer Norddeutsche Affinerie AG (NA) told reporters in Port Moresby yesterday that it would support the search for a solution to the environmental problems at the mine.
The Hamburg-based company said it buys about 80,000 tonnes of copper or about 15 per cent of Ok Tedi’s total annual production under a long term contract.
A delegation from NA and German environmental group Save the Elbe and the German Pacific Network visited PNG and Ok Tedi this week, holding discussions on the environmental situation. They met with OTML managing director Dr Roger Higgins and his officers, landowners and villagers.
They also met with Mining Secretary Kuma Aua and held round-table discussions with various non government organisations in Port Moresby yesterday.
NA representative Dr Michael Landau said that due to the extreme geographical, geological and climatic conditions, environmental protective measures usually taken at other copper mines could not be undertaken at Ok Tedi.
“Thus, fine dead rock must be discharged in a river system and this has had an adverse impact on the waters and bordering shore regions,” Dr Landau said
He said measures implemented by OTML had led to an improvement but had not brought about a fundamental solution.
Dr Landau said NA welcomed the fact that all stakeholders in the mine were working to find a solution to the problem. He said the closure of the mine would result in rapid relief for the environment, but would have adverse economic and social repercussions for PNG.
Dr Landau said NA did not own ore deposits and was obliged to procure its concentrates worldwide. He said it had to stand up to tough international competition from copper producers, which operate to some extent with very low environmental standards and as a result had cost advantages.
He said that in processing copper from copper concentrates, NA met the most stringent environmental standards and NA’s position was in line with sustainable development.
“It has significant achievements to its credit in environmental protection and today is one of the world leaders in its industry. Were NA to cease processing Ok Tedi concentrates, the same quantities would be processed under substantially worse conditions environmentally. This would result in an additional strain on the environment,” he said.
Dr Landau said NA would use its influence to say Ok Tedi was a responsibility for BHP. He said it also had to be a decision for PNG to make.
“It’s clear that the decision must be made within PNG but of course, we feel responsible. OTML has also been very open about everything,” he said.
“But our position is clear, we are more into the product end, to make sure every copper produced finds a home. We will be in contact with OTML and we will not step out of business with them.”
Dr Klaus Baumgardt, from Save the Elbe, said the Ok Tedi mine operation was impressive. He said they were now more aware of the problem, which could only be solved by PNG.
He praised some of OTML’s projects, which had been understood and encouraged by the local people.
But he also pointed out that the dredging by OTML removed sand but the problem of more coarse material waste in the river was yet to be addressed.
He said while they were not in any position to make recommendations, a report on the Ok Tedi situation would be compiled and published for the benefit of the German public and other interested parties.