Smoking Gun Files
Smoking gun files are original documents that show:
- Before the mine started, massive environmental and social damage had been accurately predicted.
- BHP and Ok Tedi Mining environmental studies were under funded, incomplete and inadequate.
- BHP and Ok Tedi Mining actively undermined PNG Government processes.
As early as 1979 , almost from the inception of the original BHP negotiations, there was evidence from a variety of sources about the potential detrimental effects on the environment and people of the Ok Tedi region if the mine went ahead. These sources were independent studies by the Australian National University and the University of Papua New Guinea, commissioned by the PNG government.
From the beginning of negotiations about the mine it became evident that OTML's budget for environmental work "would never be adequate to address the fundamental environmental questions". Furthermore, subsequent environmental studies undertaken by OTML proved incomplete and inadequate.
There is also evidence during Stage I construction that OTML consistently followed a strategy to undermine the State's (PNG government's) position on environmental protection.
The results of the 1979 PNG government-sponsored study:
" raised substantial questions about the effects of mine waste dumping in the OK Tedi River on downstream residents and subsistence life-styles" more >>
"Indeed, the Autsralian National University analysis stated that the Ok Tedi stream bed could rise by nearly 10m as a result of the mine. Such river aggradation would have flooded riverbank gardens and possibly inundated whole villages" more >>
Dr Bill Townsend worked for the PNG Department of Minerals and Energy from March 1982 to December 1984. He says:
"From these critical incidents in which the mining company failed to release information or take action one can judge that environmental safety has been a very low priority in the project" more >>
"OTML's intention to keep the State out of technical review and significant discussion was made very clear at the beginning of the project" more >>
The PNG Minister for Environment and Conservation also highlighted the problems:
"I feel I must express my deep concern with the predicted level of pollution of the Fly River from disposal of tailings and waste rock from the Ok Tedi copper mine....The mine should not be allowed to cause this level of pollution" more >>
And heavy metals were also a focus of concern as shown by J Dent working from 1982 to 1984 Ok Tedi Mining documents:
"The main concern must remain with the long-term effects of heavy metal pollution, which are cumulative within the ecosystem. While a suitable monitoring system program can be developed to include the vast areas of the Fly delta and offshore, the question as to its purpose must be addressed. By the time the impacts of deteriorating conditions have been identified, the effectiveness of any control or remedial measures would be minimal" more >>
The Smoking Gun Documents also reveal:
"Regarding the questions of environmental monitoring and compensation, the consortium rejected proposals by the government for an independent monitoring authority that might settle compensation claims based on field evidence" more >>
"The management of OTML tried to gain as complete control of the project as possible by making contact with key ministers and providing information about the project to the State" more >>
"By this time OTML management had developed such good communications with the top levels of government that the State in this case had less independence than the private shareholders" more >>
"Biological studies contain problems with methodologies and analyses..(and) socio-economic studies and cost-benefit analysis of waste disposal strategies are incomplete and not adequate" more >>
Letter from PNG Environment and Conservation Minister to PNG Minister for Mineral and Energy, 3rd March, 1989 is here...
"Possible Impact Of Ok Tedi Mining Wastes On The Waters Of Torres Strait", J. Dent is here...
Extracts from "Ok Tedi - Evolution of a Third World Mining Project", W.S. Pintz, Mining Journal Books, 1984 is here...
"Giving Away The River: Environmental Issues In The Construction Of The Ok Tedi Mine, 1981-1984", B. Townsend, Department of Minerals and Energy, Papua New Guinea is here...
Letter by J. D. Lynch, Vice Chancellor of PNG University to the PNG Prime Minister, 3 August, 1989 and extracts from the "Independent Evaluation of Ok Tedi Mining Limited Sixth Supplemental Agreement Environmental Study" by the University of PNG for the Prime Minister, 31 July, 1989 is here...
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