2nd Mine Spill in PNG
Australia's Dome Spills Again en route to Tolukuma Mine
September 28, 2000
For the second time this year, Australian mining company Dome Resources has spilled contaminants from a helicopter flying to its Tolukuma mine in Papua New Guinea. 4000 litres of diesel spilled when it fell from a sling below the aircraft.
Dome Resources, who boast that this is the only mine to have all equipment flown in by helicopter, were responsible for the loss of 1000kg of solid cyanide cyanide pellets from a helicopter in March this year.
"This is another example of poor environmental management by an Australian mining company", said spokesperson for the Mineral Policy Institute, Nina Lansbury. "The spills of diesel and cyanide just add to the damage the Tolukuma mine is causing to the local people and their environment."
In an investigative report published following the cyanide spill, the Mineral Policy Institute, PNG Environmental Law Centre and Greenpeace show the Tolukuma mine's day-to-day operations are expected to wipe out all food resources and fish life for 30 km along the Aroa river, downstream from the mine's discharge point. This is a direct consequence of the mine dumping its waste directly into the river.
The report, entitled Cyanide Crash, documents the long-term expected damage from Dome Resource's own environmental information. The Environment Plan prepared for Dome and acquired by the Mineral Policy Institute states that: "… high sediment deposition rates are expected to cause obliterative impacts on the fish habitats and food resources of these sediment-impacted reaches." Major impacts are also expected on food resources and frogs.
The full report, Cyanide Crash: Report on the Tolukuma Gold Mine Cyanide Spill in Papua New Guinea, March 2000, can be read at: www.mpi.org.au
For further information contact the Mineral Policy Institute on 02 9387 5540
This confirms reports by landowners and some mine employees, who early this week raised concern that responsible government authorities were slow in taking action after the spill on Sept 13.
This is the second time this year that a major accident has occurred near the gold mine, north-east of Port Moresby.
In March, a cyanide spill near the mine caused an uproar both locally and abroad and prompted calls, especially from environmental groups, for a government investigation into the safety standard adopted by operators of the mine.
A government official, who spoke on condition he not be named, said the diesel spilled was from drums that were dropped from the air at Veimauri camp by a MIL-17 Russian helicopter that was in distress.
He said the helicopter was in the process of ferrying the drums from Veimauri to the mine site when it encountered engine problem.
It returned to Veimauri, and the pilot was forced to release the drums from its loop to ensure the stricken helicopter landed safely.
On impact, some of the drums broke, and about 4,000 litres of diesel was spilled to the ground.
The official said the spill occurred on dry ground and did not pose any danger to any stream or river systems in the area.
He said officers from the Office of Environment and Conservation had visited the site to assess the damage, and were compiling a report for the relevant authorities.
He added that a contractor was currently moving between 30-40 cubic feet of soil contaminated by the spill to the Vanapa Quarry to be managed or disposed off.
Officials at the Office of Environment and Conservation confirmed the spillage when contacted, but refused to give details saying a report on the accident was being compiled and could only be released publicly by the Director or Minister responsible.
For the second time this year, Australian mining company Dome Resources has spilled contaminants from a helicopter flying to its Tolukuma mine in Papua New Guinea. 4000 litres of diesel spilled when it fell from a sling below the aircraft.
Dome Resources, who boast that this is the only mine to have all equipment flown in by helicopter, were responsible for the loss of 1000kg of solid cyanide cyanide pellets from a helicopter in March this year.
"This is another example of poor environmental management by an Australian mining company", said spokesperson for the Mineral Policy Institute, Nina Lansbury. "The spills of diesel and cyanide just add to the damage the Tolukuma mine is causing to the local people and their environment."
In an investigative report published following the cyanide spill, the Mineral Policy Institute, PNG Environmental Law Centre and Greenpeace show the Tolukuma mine's day-to-day operations are expected to wipe out all food resources and fish life for 30 km along the Aroa river, downstream from the mine's discharge point. This is a direct consequence of the mine dumping its waste directly into the river.
The report, entitled Cyanide Crash, documents the long-term expected damage from Dome Resource's own environmental information. The Environment Plan prepared for Dome and acquired by the Mineral Policy Institute states that: "… high sediment deposition rates are expected to cause obliterative impacts on the fish habitats and food resources of these sediment-impacted reaches." Major impacts are also expected on food resources and frogs.
The full report, Cyanide Crash: Report on the Tolukuma Gold Mine Cyanide Spill in Papua New Guinea, March 2000, can be read at: www.mpi.org.au
For further information contact the Mineral Policy Institute on 02 9387 5540
From The National newspaper, PNG, 27-9-2000
Diesel spill reported near Tolukuma mine
An accident involving the spillage of about 4,000 litres of diesel fuel occurred near the Tolukuma mine in Central province early this month, government officials told The National yesterday.This confirms reports by landowners and some mine employees, who early this week raised concern that responsible government authorities were slow in taking action after the spill on Sept 13.
This is the second time this year that a major accident has occurred near the gold mine, north-east of Port Moresby.
In March, a cyanide spill near the mine caused an uproar both locally and abroad and prompted calls, especially from environmental groups, for a government investigation into the safety standard adopted by operators of the mine.
A government official, who spoke on condition he not be named, said the diesel spilled was from drums that were dropped from the air at Veimauri camp by a MIL-17 Russian helicopter that was in distress.
He said the helicopter was in the process of ferrying the drums from Veimauri to the mine site when it encountered engine problem.
It returned to Veimauri, and the pilot was forced to release the drums from its loop to ensure the stricken helicopter landed safely.
On impact, some of the drums broke, and about 4,000 litres of diesel was spilled to the ground.
The official said the spill occurred on dry ground and did not pose any danger to any stream or river systems in the area.
He said officers from the Office of Environment and Conservation had visited the site to assess the damage, and were compiling a report for the relevant authorities.
He added that a contractor was currently moving between 30-40 cubic feet of soil contaminated by the spill to the Vanapa Quarry to be managed or disposed off.
Officials at the Office of Environment and Conservation confirmed the spillage when contacted, but refused to give details saying a report on the accident was being compiled and could only be released publicly by the Director or Minister responsible.
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