The Ramu nickel cobalt mine : a disaster in the making

Abstract

Submarine Tailings Disposal, or STD, has recently come into favor in Papua New Guinea where on-land disposal options are problematic. Two mines: Misima Gold Mine (Placer Pacific) in the Milne Bay Archipelago, and Lihir Gold Mine (RTZ), in New Ireland Province, already use this technique. (See: STD on the Island of Lihr.) The State of Papua New Guinea is highly dependant on the revenue from mining projects. For this reason the mining sector has traditionally wielded substantial power, and this in turn has had major implications for the acceptance of sub-standard environmental performance.