Ok Tedi Time Bomb
BHP cannot cut and run from its environmental destruction
Tues 29th Feb 2000
The Mineral Policy Institute today revealed that BHP has an ongoing legal responsibility for Ok Tedi. This follows BHP's announcement that it will cut and run from the long-term damage at Ok Tedi in Papua New Guinea.
The damage caused by BHP's Ok Tedi mine is a world scale environmental disaster. The damage from this mine is continuing to get worse and will last for most of the 21st century.
"It is totally irresponsible for BHP to walk away from the decades worth of destruction caused by the Ok Tedi mine. MPI is urging the PNG government not to give legal exemption to BHP for its liabilities from the mine" said Mr Geoff Evans, director, the Mineral Policy Institute.
"Today, we know that the destruction from Ok Tedi is very serious. We also know that while the damage will continue to get worse the full extent of the problems are unknown. We do not know when the environment in PNG will recover. We also do not know what the full impacts will be on the fisheries."
"BHP is not only trying to give a smoking gun away. They are trying to hand over a time bomb."
As the damage from the mine continues to grow worse, problems in Papua New Guinea will intensify. BHP must be aware that the situation in PNG will become untenable for many people as the environmental damage increases. The company is desperately seeking to disassociate itself from a problem that it has created.
BHP cannot escape its obligations under the 1996 out of court settlement in Victoria. This settlement commits the company to put a waste (tailings) system in place. This has not happened and continues to expose BHP to further legal action.
"It is morally outrageous for BHP try to abandon their responsibilities. Legally and practically BHP faces significant hurdles in the shape of potential further action in Victorian courts."
BHP's statement shows that the company puts its share value before the thousands of people who will suffer as a result of its activities.
"The company claims that the mine is not compatible with its values today. BHP however demonstrates its values by trying to leave the government and people of Papua New Guinea picking up the pieces" concluded Mr Evans.
The Mineral Policy Institute today revealed that BHP has an ongoing legal responsibility for Ok Tedi. This follows BHP's announcement that it will cut and run from the long-term damage at Ok Tedi in Papua New Guinea.
The damage caused by BHP's Ok Tedi mine is a world scale environmental disaster. The damage from this mine is continuing to get worse and will last for most of the 21st century.
"It is totally irresponsible for BHP to walk away from the decades worth of destruction caused by the Ok Tedi mine. MPI is urging the PNG government not to give legal exemption to BHP for its liabilities from the mine" said Mr Geoff Evans, director, the Mineral Policy Institute.
"Today, we know that the destruction from Ok Tedi is very serious. We also know that while the damage will continue to get worse the full extent of the problems are unknown. We do not know when the environment in PNG will recover. We also do not know what the full impacts will be on the fisheries."
"BHP is not only trying to give a smoking gun away. They are trying to hand over a time bomb."
As the damage from the mine continues to grow worse, problems in Papua New Guinea will intensify. BHP must be aware that the situation in PNG will become untenable for many people as the environmental damage increases. The company is desperately seeking to disassociate itself from a problem that it has created.
BHP cannot escape its obligations under the 1996 out of court settlement in Victoria. This settlement commits the company to put a waste (tailings) system in place. This has not happened and continues to expose BHP to further legal action.
"It is morally outrageous for BHP try to abandon their responsibilities. Legally and practically BHP faces significant hurdles in the shape of potential further action in Victorian courts."
BHP's statement shows that the company puts its share value before the thousands of people who will suffer as a result of its activities.
"The company claims that the mine is not compatible with its values today. BHP however demonstrates its values by trying to leave the government and people of Papua New Guinea picking up the pieces" concluded Mr Evans.
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
