Ok Tedi 2
Slater and Gordon Media Release
11 April 2000
The landmark environmental case which set the international benchmark for mining operations in Third World countries is to have a legal sequel.
It is four years since BHP settled claims by 30,000 Papua-New Guinea landowners whose traditional lifestyle was destroyed by tailings waste from BHP's Ok Tedi mine being dumped in the Ok Tedi and Fly River systems.
The settlement included compensation, dredging of the river and future containment of the tailings.
Representatives of the landowners arrived in Melbourne at the weekend. They say BHP is still dumping up to 90,000 tonnes of waste in the river each day, despite the agreement to end pollution from the mine.
Today they announced they have instructed their solicitors, Slater & Gordon, to commence legal action against the Big Australian.
A writ seeking unspecified damages and an order for reasonable tailings mitigation was filed today in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Rex Dagi, Gabia Gagarimabu, Robin Moken and Barnabas Uako will remain in Australia for several days for talks with Australian politicians in a bid to end a 16-year disaster which began when the original tailings dam at the mine site collapsed in 1984.
They have also met with Australian environmental groups to gain support for their campaign.
They are angry that 16 years after the dam collapse BHP has still failed to implement other solutions to deal with the waste - e.g. a proposed 130 km pipeline - when it has been long apparent that a dam could not be safely built in an area of such high rainfall and seismic activity.
"BHP makes a big deal about the social benefits of the mine but these are enjoyed by only a few people," says clan leader Rex Dagi.
"Tens of thousands are suffering because we cannot fish, grow crops, or travel on the river."
An independent environmental study in August last year found that the environmental impact of the Ok Tedi mine would be far greater and more damaging than predicted. In March this year the World Bank said the mine should be closed immediately because of environmental problems.
Mr Dagi says BHP has admitted that the mine was a mistake.
"So they should fix it -just as they promised four years ago."
For more information:
Nick Styant-Browne Slater & Gordon (03) 9602 6917
John Gordon Slater & Gordon (03) 9602 6917
The landmark environmental case which set the international benchmark for mining operations in Third World countries is to have a legal sequel.
It is four years since BHP settled claims by 30,000 Papua-New Guinea landowners whose traditional lifestyle was destroyed by tailings waste from BHP's Ok Tedi mine being dumped in the Ok Tedi and Fly River systems.
The settlement included compensation, dredging of the river and future containment of the tailings.
Representatives of the landowners arrived in Melbourne at the weekend. They say BHP is still dumping up to 90,000 tonnes of waste in the river each day, despite the agreement to end pollution from the mine.
Today they announced they have instructed their solicitors, Slater & Gordon, to commence legal action against the Big Australian.
A writ seeking unspecified damages and an order for reasonable tailings mitigation was filed today in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Rex Dagi, Gabia Gagarimabu, Robin Moken and Barnabas Uako will remain in Australia for several days for talks with Australian politicians in a bid to end a 16-year disaster which began when the original tailings dam at the mine site collapsed in 1984.
They have also met with Australian environmental groups to gain support for their campaign.
They are angry that 16 years after the dam collapse BHP has still failed to implement other solutions to deal with the waste - e.g. a proposed 130 km pipeline - when it has been long apparent that a dam could not be safely built in an area of such high rainfall and seismic activity.
"BHP makes a big deal about the social benefits of the mine but these are enjoyed by only a few people," says clan leader Rex Dagi.
"Tens of thousands are suffering because we cannot fish, grow crops, or travel on the river."
An independent environmental study in August last year found that the environmental impact of the Ok Tedi mine would be far greater and more damaging than predicted. In March this year the World Bank said the mine should be closed immediately because of environmental problems.
Mr Dagi says BHP has admitted that the mine was a mistake.
"So they should fix it -just as they promised four years ago."
For more information:
Nick Styant-Browne Slater & Gordon (03) 9602 6917
John Gordon Slater & Gordon (03) 9602 6917
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