BHP and Ok Tedi: comprehensive review of environmental standards required
Laurie Brereton MP
Shadow minister for foreign affairs
Senator Nick Bolkus
Shadow minister for the environment
Shadow minister for foreign affairs
Senator Nick Bolkus
Shadow minister for the environment
12 April 2000
The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, and the Shadow Minister for Environment, Senator Nick Bolkus, today condemned BHP's environmental management of the Ok Tedi copper mine in Papua New Guinea and renewed Labor's call for a comprehensive review of environmental protection standards and practices implemented by Australian mining countries operating overseas.
1nstead of providing environmental leadership for Australian mining companies operating overseas, BHP's performance at Ok Tedi has been an absolute disaster", Mr Brereton said.
The recent findings of the World Bank study of the Ok Tedi mine confirm the scale of the environmental catastrophe and the urgent need to develop a comprehensive mine closure strategy", Senator Bolkus said.
Mr Brereton and Senator Bolkus today held discussions with Ok Tedi and Fly River community representatives who yesterday commenced new legal proceedings against BHP to enforce an undertaking to provide feasible tailings mitigation at the mine.
In its review of Ok Tedi project, the World Bank advised the PNG Government that
'The environmental impacts of mine operation are significant, and have been far greater than initially anticipated, ... the impacts are likely to worsen, and will continue for some time even after the mine has closed and the existing and potential future environmental impacts of the mining operation are directly related to the discharge of tailings and waste rock from the mine. These discharges far exceed the sediment transport capacity of the river system downstream of the mine. . .. None of the options for mitigating environmental impacts, or otherwise operating Ok Tedi, provides a clear best alternative forward. ... From a purely environmental perspective, the Risk Assessment suggests the Ok Tedi Mine needs to be moving towards closure as soon as possible. Preparations for closure should be initiated without delay given the traditionally long lead time associated with social impact mitigation measures.'
Senator Bolkus noted that the Minerals Council of Australia has recently completed a three-year review of the Australian Minerals Industry Code for Environmental Management.
"The review by the Minerals Council of Australia of its Code for Environmental Management has been a step forward in the ongoing improvement of environmental protection in the mining industry", Senator Bolkus said. `That said, the recent cyanide spills in Romania and PNG coupled with the ongoing environmental disaster of Ok Tedi confirm the desirability of a wide-ranging inquiry with the opportunity for submissions by all relevant stakeholders, and non-government organisations with a view to further strengthening the effectiveness of the Code in its application to projects overseas, where local environment protection regimes may be less rigorous than those in Australia."
'The actions of Australian companies impact on Australia's international standing", Mr, Brereton said. Labor has long supported an active role for Government in encouraging Australian companies operating overseas to adhere to public codes which commit them to observe international human rights standards, including core labour standards, and ensure that their operations do not directly or indirectly violate human rights, or inflict unacceptable impacts on local communities and the environment."
"A comprehensive review of current arrangements in consultation with business and relevant non-government organisations would be timely to ensure that there is not another Ok Tedi in the future."
Contact: Philip Dorling 02 6277 4717 or 0416 203 058
The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, and the Shadow Minister for Environment, Senator Nick Bolkus, today condemned BHP's environmental management of the Ok Tedi copper mine in Papua New Guinea and renewed Labor's call for a comprehensive review of environmental protection standards and practices implemented by Australian mining countries operating overseas.
1nstead of providing environmental leadership for Australian mining companies operating overseas, BHP's performance at Ok Tedi has been an absolute disaster", Mr Brereton said.
The recent findings of the World Bank study of the Ok Tedi mine confirm the scale of the environmental catastrophe and the urgent need to develop a comprehensive mine closure strategy", Senator Bolkus said.
Mr Brereton and Senator Bolkus today held discussions with Ok Tedi and Fly River community representatives who yesterday commenced new legal proceedings against BHP to enforce an undertaking to provide feasible tailings mitigation at the mine.
In its review of Ok Tedi project, the World Bank advised the PNG Government that
'The environmental impacts of mine operation are significant, and have been far greater than initially anticipated, ... the impacts are likely to worsen, and will continue for some time even after the mine has closed and the existing and potential future environmental impacts of the mining operation are directly related to the discharge of tailings and waste rock from the mine. These discharges far exceed the sediment transport capacity of the river system downstream of the mine. . .. None of the options for mitigating environmental impacts, or otherwise operating Ok Tedi, provides a clear best alternative forward. ... From a purely environmental perspective, the Risk Assessment suggests the Ok Tedi Mine needs to be moving towards closure as soon as possible. Preparations for closure should be initiated without delay given the traditionally long lead time associated with social impact mitigation measures.'
Senator Bolkus noted that the Minerals Council of Australia has recently completed a three-year review of the Australian Minerals Industry Code for Environmental Management.
"The review by the Minerals Council of Australia of its Code for Environmental Management has been a step forward in the ongoing improvement of environmental protection in the mining industry", Senator Bolkus said. `That said, the recent cyanide spills in Romania and PNG coupled with the ongoing environmental disaster of Ok Tedi confirm the desirability of a wide-ranging inquiry with the opportunity for submissions by all relevant stakeholders, and non-government organisations with a view to further strengthening the effectiveness of the Code in its application to projects overseas, where local environment protection regimes may be less rigorous than those in Australia."
'The actions of Australian companies impact on Australia's international standing", Mr, Brereton said. Labor has long supported an active role for Government in encouraging Australian companies operating overseas to adhere to public codes which commit them to observe international human rights standards, including core labour standards, and ensure that their operations do not directly or indirectly violate human rights, or inflict unacceptable impacts on local communities and the environment."
"A comprehensive review of current arrangements in consultation with business and relevant non-government organisations would be timely to ensure that there is not another Ok Tedi in the future."
Contact: Philip Dorling 02 6277 4717 or 0416 203 058
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
