Friday, January 31, 2014

Are we concerned about our Tuna industry?

From Patrick Kaiku

"There was this project called the PNG Tagging Project, phase 1 of which was completed in May 2007. It was part of a wider programme called the Pacific Tuna Tagging Programme (PTTP). The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and PNG's very own National Fisheries Authority collaborated in tagging the migratory tuna species and monitoring their movements around the Southwest Pacific Ocean. Pictured above are updated graphics showing the movements of tagged tuna. Skipjack continue to show the greatest mobility, followed by yellow-fin and big-eye tuna. Notice how the Bismarck Sea is where the tuna species are endemic and the known converging point for these tuna species...If I had it my way, the whole Bismarck Sea and adjoining islands will be OFF-LIMITS to any environmentally-destructive mining activities so that these multi-billion kina resource is safe...! (Source: PACIFIC TUNA TAGGING PROGRAMME MONTHLY TAGGING SUMMARY – NOVEMBER 2007)"

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Who said there's NO life at the bottom of the sea?

Who said there's NO life at the bottom of the sea?

According to Dr Cornel de Ronde, Geologist/Geochemist: "You can see the wackiest animals 2km at sea depth!" Life exists there

Dr de Ronde added that there's a whole food chain hovering around vents. These microbes sustain their energy from chemical reactions.

Dr de Ronde said these microbes are chemoautotroph's, 'they don't derive energy from photosynthesis.'

He said, virtually all ocean life begins with phytoplankton which needs sunlight and iron to start the food chain on which all sea creatures depend.

Where does the phytoplankton get its iron to grow? Scientists in the Pacific don't know.

If true, can we PAUSE seabed mining and answer this question?

Miners like Nautilus are after precious metals - zinc, copper, gold from these towering chimneys of underwater volcanoes.

To avoid strict guidelines under International Seabed Authority to mine in international waters PNG was chosen! U save pinis

PNG does NOT have an independent monitoring body to monitor and assess mining activities at 2km sea floor depth!

In addition, according to 'Undersea Vents in the Pacific' report, one mining company has bought up leases of 300,000km square of Pacific seabed!



The reason to mine sea floors is when the riches of the land run out.

Is this the case for PNG?

 
IS IT TRUE THAT PNG IS USED AS A GUINEA PIG?

United we can stop this!

Where there is a will there is a way!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

SOLOWARA 1 Project - A LONG TERM DISASTER FOR BISMARCK SEA COMMUNITY AND PNG.


By Professor Chalapan Kaluwin,
Professor in Environmental Science & Geology and Director PNG Centre for Climate & Sustainable Development.
P.O. Box 320 UNIVERSITY 134, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea.
Ph:3267216
E: ckaluwin@gmail.com

SOLOWARA 1 Project - A LONG TERM DISASTER FOR BISMARCK SEA COMMUNITY AND PNG.

1. Summary

The poor application of international laws (such the United Nations Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Laws, Noumea Treaty, UNCED agreement ) and PNG’s laws and policies ( Mining Acts, Environmental Act etc) on the Deep Sea Mining ( Solowara 1) is a very serious challenge in managing and protecting the resources of the oceans and health of communities of the PNG.

It is important to know that there is no Deep Sea Mining policy in the world in managing such resource for PNG government and its stakeholders must understand this status.

In addition coupled with the relative short term ( 2-3 years) scientific and environment results, studies ( mainly desk top models) and reports carried in the Solowara 1 region ( EIS/EIA report) submitted to the PNG government for Phase 1 ( 30 Months Project) should be treated with caution and precautionary principles must be applied until full scientific proof is available. Application of adaptive technology in the tropical marine ecosystem has very serious limitation on PNG in deep sea mining must be evaluated and monitored for its mitigation purpose.

Given the Sustainable Development ( economic, environment and livelihoods) scenarios and assessments of PNG and coupled with too questions and uncertainty on the Solowara 1 project, the PNG government and people must defer the implementation of this pilot project for the time being, if the Bougainville Copper Limited lesson is to be model for the Bismarck Seas and its provinces.

Our review and analysis on other documents, our experiences and based on the above and the EIS for Phase 1 of Solowara 1 strongly believe that Solowara 1 pilot project will be a long Term Disaster for PNG and the health of its people.

2. Introduction
The history of the development of mining exploration and exploitation of the Mining and other non renewable sectors in the early 1960s followed by the signing and development of Bougainville Copper Limited- BCL( 1976) was a gigantic step for PNG government and people of Bougainville Province, is a great lesson for the Melanesian people to avoid through better governance and consultant process. PNG was then merely a speculator in the design and implementation of such project. The impact of such project was awesome in every way, it affected the minds of people and livelihoods, environment and economic and hidden surprises that our own people never envisaged until the best of our own traditional leadership brought the BCL into chaos and a massive disaster for our governance and the developer- The BCL hazards in terms of bloodshed is a great lesson for the PNG government and the Developer ( CRA limited). The international community and investors took great lessons in how to manage the resources and its strongest linkages to its people and especially for PNG and the Pacific countries. New technology and methodologies that were employed were recognized as the state art then as promised by the developer that it would have minimum adverse impact on the people/culture-Tradition, environment and economy of the country.
Below are two important quotes from traditional leaders of Bougainville and Ok Tedi mines development to a number of PNG pioneers/experience people working in the Mining environment since 1979 as a useful reminders:
1. “Minogatsavitrulong Wok bilong BCL long antaplong mounten na gaden bilong mipela. Ating tumora ol pikinini bilong yumi igo long gutpela skul I ken stretim dispela biriwau ?”
2. “ Husat bai I stretim cynidae spill na compensation long ol pipol biong dispela Fly river?”
Ok Tedi and Porgera Mines and others including LNG in the Southern Highlands are great evolving lessons and experiences for a young country that is still developing its human resources and especially skilled manpower to manage this sector for our local communities and country.
Lessons like the compensation packages for environmental and livelihood impacts by Ok Tedi mine and the collapse of the new technology such as a Tailings Dam worth more than K1Billion to communities. In introduction of new technology in Porgera Mine for chemical waste removal such as cyanide and development of new tailings dam in Hidden valley mine are important examples of challenges in the mining sectors and the new legislations and policies must keep in pace.
All these useful examples of governances in land mining sectors but we as country and the developer are still learning for these mining explorations in the tropical environment and most importantly the way our traditional culture and customs have influenced our laws and policies.
Our governance in terms of politics, human capacity, economic, environment, livelihoods and Laws/policies were limitedthen . However, with massive land/mining resources in place with appropriate experiences, introduction of new technology, legislation and policies, will continue to develop as long as the implementation of the PNG Vision 2050 for Healthy and Smart PNGs is embraced we will achieve our objectives after 40 years.
On Land ( Terrestrial) Mining:
On Land is where non-renewable resource sector is characterized by mining, petroleum and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) resources. It remained the single most significant sector in terms of national income thus representing approximately 30 percent of the total annual national income between 1998- 2005. Currently, it represents over 80 percent of PNG’s total exports. Economic considerations concerning both income and expenditure by the national government have largely focused on the development and profitability of this sector, reflecting a government policy of GNP-led growth.
In 2011, there are seven operating gold and copper mines (with 9 potentials ones) and 6 oil and gas (14 potentials) projects. The forecast is that the export of these extractive resources, the PNG economy is set to double its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the PNG LNG project. The K45 billion investments and potentially further LNG development from Gulf and Western provinces will certainly transform PNG’s economy, providing the country the foundation for long term investment in public infrastructure and services, needed for a diversified economy and an educated population, as long as the authorities markedly enhance the utilization of revenue.
With the majority of the young and vibrant population of the country focused on rural renewable and non-renewable resources , planning and design of human resources and capacity building will be a significant challenge but a much needed priority area if such LNG resources is fully developed by 2014.
In 2005, PNG real Gross Domestic Product( GDP) was about US$4 Billion from the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors.
As outlined in the PNG Vision 2050, our country that is also a newly emerging economy - with annual GDP grow that an extraordinary 9%, higher than that of China and other countries in the world. The main driver of this unprecedented growth is the mining sector, accounting for more 60% of the nation’s formal economy injecting more than PGK 45 Billions into our economy after the 2014 when the LNG project starts exporting. PNG’s mineral resources are so rich, and so sought-after by world markets, that sustained growth of the sector is propelling PNG to become a middle-income nation by 2050.
OCEANS- Mining
The Solwara 1 project( see Figure 1) proposes to commercially exploit gold and copper deposits associated with deep-sea hydrothermal vents at a depth of 1,500 in the Bismarck Sea close to New Ireland and East New Britain Provinces, in Papua New Guinea.



Figure 1: Shows the Solowara 1 and locations of the Tenement in the PNG. (we can supply the map)

This pilot Project has be given the green light by the PNG Government to mine in the ocean for more than 20 years. It present the first large-scale, human ( mining) -induced, site-specific disturbance to the deep ocean basin anywhere in the world, it must be considered with exceptional deliberation and caution. Scientists only first discovered these deep-sea hydrothermal vents and their exotic ecosystems in 1976, and these biodiversity ecosystems in the oceans remain poorly understood today.
So our Government wants to develop the first deep sea mining in the world in the country and especially in the Bismarck Sea with no experience, no offshore policy and no appropriate legislation(s) to protect its own oceans/waters and the health of its local communities?
The Solowara 1 project was granted to the developer through the application of the Land-Mining Laws and policies for the Oceans/Seas mining areas?
Please note that the ocean and Land cannot mix as these have different rates of changes and their boundaries of environmental conditions differ greatly. The ocean mining laws and policies must be different to land mining and also we must develop important human capacity resources in this area.
Do you seriously believe that the Developer- Nautilus Company has any experiences in Deep Sea Mining in it’s country – Canada or elsewhere in the world?. Why has the company designed and developing a Two Phase Approach to develop this Solowara 1project.In the Phase 1 it is planned for 30months ( less than 3 years) with the accompanied EIS/EIA to the government at the cost of US$1 Billion.
Within 3 years,Nautilus will be producing more than 2 million tonnes of ore each year and have yet to announce where it will process the ore and where the toxic waste will be treated and later dumped?
Phase 2 will commence later after another EIS/EIA submission. This 2 phased design approach suggests the company is not fully confident in the venture. If the company has any experiences in deep ocean mining with international standards, countries like, Canada, Australia and New Zealand would have accepted their bid to mine in the deep sea environment before PNG and the Pacific ( Vanuatu, Solomon, Fiji and Tonga).
In summary both PNG government and the Nautilus company seriously do not have the capacity and experiences to develop this initiative. However, the developer is using theSolowara 1 as Pilot projects will gain much need confidence and at the same time exploit other countries in the region and take advantage of the country’slack of appropriate laws and offshore policies?
Some seriousQuestions?:
Below are some serious questions to note:
1. Why should PNG government agree to mine in the Ocean floor at depth of more 1500meters if the land resources are abundant and plentiful for a 7 million people for more than 50years and beyond, with lack of capacity and expertise in this sectors?Can we defer the mining initiative by the Nautilus Company?
2. Can we tell the developer to go back into its back yard or other countries to trial this initiative worth US$1 Billion( EIS-Phase 1 for 30 months) if their ocean mining policies are in place?Yes youCan! Can we guarantee that the health of our people and oceans will be protected? No you cannot!
3. We do not have Mining and environmental Laws and offshore policies yet for Ocean resources and why should we entertain a developer if our house is not in order yet?
The fact that PNG is the very first country in the world to grant tenements for commercial deep-sea mining operations, in water depths of around 1,500 meters is challenging and fully of unknowns. There are some marine mining for diamonds Namibia and South Africa, for gold off Alaska and for tin in South East Asia. However, these small operations are foundin shallow coastal waters, in the near-shore zone,closely to 1-200 meters depth at most.
The mineral content of our seabed resources, mainly copper and gold but including other metals, is orders of magnitude higher per tonne than found in our terrestrial ore bodies. Our marine mineral resources are based on seabed massive sulphides, associated with seabed hydrothermal vents
The move into truly deep-sea mining by PNG, places us at the global forefront of this new and challenging frontier and we must apply precautionary measures with full scientific understanding at all cost to manage the health of this country and its people and environment.
The wealth of these resources will contribute significant promise for adding even further to our economic growth, assisting us to achieve the sustainable development measures as outlined in PNG Vision 2050.However, there are also many risks and uncertainties associated with this untested industry. Most important is the need to protect our precious marine ecology and living marine resources, from which our people have lived sustainably for thousands of years, and to ensure equitable sharing of benefits from offshore mining.
We have challenges in developing our human capacity and technical expertise in this sector and more importantly our educational sector cannot meet the demands and expectation in such new developments and associated with advanced technologies.
In addition, ours policies and laws must be updated and with such new initiatives we must have a world-class policy and legislative framework, to guide development of this emerging industry, in an orderly, sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible manner. We must have either ocean and or offshore policy urgently to protect the health of our people and oceans resources is a priority.
2. CONTEXT
PNG LAWS and POLICY Applications.
The non-renewable resource sector is housed on land and has significant implications for land-use. It is characterized by mining, petroleum and gas resources. It remains the single most significant sector in terms of national income thus representing approximately 30 percent of the total annual national income between 1998 and 2004. Currently, it represents over 60 percent of PNG’s total exports. Economic considerations concerning both income and expenditure by the national government have largely focused on the development and profitability of this sector, reflecting a government policy of GNP-led growth.
In closely examining these international and national laws and policies in mining on Land and its application to mining in the Ocean floor there are number of important issues which needs capacity to ensure these are changed urgently to protect the country and its provinces/LLGs and communities and include:
a) International Laws- United Nations Law of the Sea, UNCLOS
The PNG government has ratified a number of important international laws and acts,include the United Nation Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), International Maritime Organization, Noumea Treaty, UN Biodiversity Convention, UN Framework Convention on Climate Changeand Torres Strait Treaty are considered as the important ones linked to the Oceans resources and mining in our seas that could support our national laws and offshore policies.
For example, the urgent need to implement the UNCLOS and completion of the PNG Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ) and in order to ensure PNG’s ability to exercise its full sovereign rights over its seas, seabed and subsoil thereof, as entitled under LOSC, including in relation to offshore mining, the Government of PNG will, as a matter of urgent priority.
b) PNG Mining Laws..
i) Mining Act 1991… Sections 17,19, 41 ( 1) and Section 152removes any responsibility or obligation on the lease holder for the removal of a mining plant, or, tailings, etc., on the expiry of tenement which is subject of a mining development contract. It becomes the responsibility of the State. Here the obligation is placed on the State to ensure safe removal of any untreated and hazardous materials or substances on the land.

ii) Both the Mining Act 1992 and the Mining (Safety) Act 1977 are inadequate in relation to the containment of mine tailings and responsibilities that a mining lease holder must be compel to fulfill prior to the grant of a mining lease and upon expiry or abandonment of the mining lease for whatever reason.

iii) The Mineral Resources Authority Act 2005

This legislation was enacted in 2005 for purposes of establishing the Mineral Resources Authority (‘the Authority”), a body corporate with perpetual succession and to give it powers to acquire, hold and dispose of property and is a legal entity. The Authority is an organ and instrument of the State and is entitled to the benefit of any immunity or privilege enjoyed by the State.

Again this Act does not have any specific provisions relating to the requirements of maintaining operations that are of best international standards in dealing with mine activities, tailings or hazardous waste and has not vested any powers on the Board to determine any issues of compliance or impose penalties for non-compliance.

History has pointed out that clearly neither the Mining Act 1992, the Mining (Bougainville Copper Agreement) Act 1967 or the Mining (Ok Tedi Agreement) Act 1976 with its Supplemental Agreements do provide in detail any requirement on the method and type of technology or specification on mine tailings/waste. The Acts were too vague as to the engineering design and construction specifications, the Act focused on minimising environmental pollution but fell short of providing for the actual details of the engineering concept and construction design or the method of containment such as dry stacking, backfilling or in-pit disposal.

iv) Environment Act 2000

The Environment Act was enacted in 2000 and it is a very useful and modernized legalization for the country. It repealed and replaced the Environment Planning Act, the Environmental Contaminants Act and the Water Resources Act. This Act is meant to be a one-stop-shop for all matters dealing with environmental planning and management in PNG. The legislative scheme of the Act is designed to promote the development of natural resources but within approved environmental parameters as outlined in the legislation. The Act was meant to manage development in an environmentally friendly manner as stipulated under Sections 51, 52 and 53. These provisions provided for the procedure for designing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes and the procedure for submission and approval. This process requires the companies engaged in mining developments inform the government of their plans and manner in which they will carry out the mine activities and especially tailings disposals in the deep ocean and dispersed through large volume of sea water. Since the enactment of this legislation all current mining operations now are required to comply with the provisions of the Environment Act 2000 in terms of mine tailings, new technology and can be applied to possible offshore mining policy if we develop one urgently?

v) Water Quality Regulations 2002

The Water Quality Regulations set out the minimum standards of water quality that is safe for human consumption and the protection of the ecosystem. The water quality standards adopted by the Regulations are based on the World Health Organisation’s water quality standards acceptable at the relevant period. It is noted that water quality is subject to weather patterns and other natural and man-made occurrences. The criterion used for the standard of water quality is flexible to allow for a revision of the standard based on new scientific evidence.

Thus it is important to have a system of water quality standard that is flexible to cater for any new standard to be applied subject to new internationally accepted standards applicable to oceans and sea environment.

vi) Offshore Mining Policy?

Whilst there are guidelines developed in the Pacific region to support development of policies and laws on Deep Sea Mining ( DSM), there are no DSM policy in the world. Currently is no Offshore Mining Policy to assist the PNG manage the deep sea mining activities and protect the health of the ocean resources and its people. The need to develop the offshore mining policy is important for consultation amongst communities and the developer is imperative.

Note the provisions of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-level Governments relate to the ability to make laws, including in relation to the natural resources and mining on land and oceans.The policy must include the Provincial/LLG governments as the main stakeholders to benefit.

Figure 2: Shows the Provincial and EEZ boundaries.

vii) National Maritime Pollution Laws?
PNG is not a party to the International convention on civil liabilities for oil pollution which posing as well high risk in maritime activities like the Solowara 1 activities.
The two Bills ( Sea Dumping and Shipping) on Marine Pollution for PNG government is still outstanding which is important when it is approved by the government. This two bills submitted by the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) is critical in monitoring shipping movements and oil spills in the area and Bismarck Sea and compensation claims by stakeholders.

c) Canada and Nautilus Company.
The Nautilus is a Canadian company and it has registered offices in England, USA, Australia, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
The Government of Canada laws( Environmental Protection Agency-EPA) does not allow private sectors and developers to invest into mining ores in the deep sea/oceans in its country.

This is the first time Nautilus company is rushing this venture into deep sea mining in PNG to gain huge experiences and confidence at the expense of PNG government andits people lack of knowledge and capacity. The developer has contracted partners to build the technology and ships for this initiate.
The bottom line is the company does not have experience in the deep sea mining in the world and implying that its technology need to be tested ifit is appropriate in the tropical ocean environment such as the Bismarck sea.

The developer fully understand that PNG Government does not have modern and appropriate laws and policies and in addition the country lacks technical capacity and poor governance especially in politics.

3. Naulitus Design- Phase 1 and Phase 2.
We know that the Developer- Nautilus Company has no or limited experience in Deep Sea Mining in its country – Canada or elsewhere in the world?. Why has the company designed and developed a Two Phase Approach to develop this Solowara 1 project? What are risks involved and considered here for this decision? The decision could be financial coupled with uncertainty or precautionary principles in their design.
The company has submitted this 2 phases approach to the PNG government and we have accepted it hence, it had to complete its Environmental Impact Statement ( EIS) for Phase I first for the government to approve and start the mining in the deep sea in between New Ireland and East New Britain Provinces.
Phase 1. The Phase 1 is planned for 30 months( less than 3 years) or more with the accompanied EIS/EIA report to the government at an approximate cost of US$1 Billion. This will mean that the mining operations may commence in 2013. This is highly technical project and PNG communities will not be active participants as the processing of the Ore ( concentrate) will be shipped overseas for processing.
The main question is what if the Phase 1 proves unproductive financially for the company and leaves tomorrow? Do we havea comprehensive hazard and risk management place for the PNG government to address environmental and social hazards in the Bismarck sea?.
Phase 2 will commence later after another EIS/EIA submission and approval by the government.
Our experiences on the strategy for the two phases design approach suggests the company is not fully confident in this project. If the company was confident in its design it should develop the project for the 20 years.To reaffirm our point if the company has any experiences in deep ocean mining with international standards; countries like, Canada, Australia and New Zealand would have accepted their bid to mine in the deep sea environment before PNG and the Pacific ( Vanuatu, Solomon, Fiji and Tonga).
In summary both PNG government and the Nautilus company do not have the capacity and experiences to develop this initiative and are using the Solowara 1 as Pilot projects to gain much needed confidence in this industry to later expand its activities on other countries and region..
4. Environmental Impact Statement ( EIS/EIA) for Phase 1.
It is understandable that some useful background research to identify minerals in the Manus basin in the Bismarck sea was conducted to support this pilot design project in the area of Solowara 1. However, the research and studies carried on the designated site were conducted in a limited time period( from 6month to 1-3 years) to tests the methodologies and technologies. In addition numerous desk top studies and models were developed as well to understand the real situation on sites.
Hence the EIS reports does not provide enough understanding on the merit of this Phase 1 to be awarded to the company.
The discussions below are not exhaustive on the EIS report but some of our queries and concerns must be noted:
a) Technology Applied
i) The technology used and applied are indeed new for such application and these have never been trailed in such conditions especially the oceans/seas. Using oil and gas technologies and applying these in the tropical ocean environment is questionable and must be monitored very careful on its application and suitability.
ii) No mitigation strategies were discussed in terms recovery and lost of the tools and technology in the oceans.
b) Water Quality and Modeling
Some of issues raised includes:
i) Poor understanding of water column biodiversity from the surface to the bottom and outside the designate area.
ii) Insufficient data collected in the area to support the modeling of the water quality and its understanding of social and health impacts.
iii) The application of the model is questionable in this area and new methodology will need to addressed.
iv) Inadequate assessment of risks associated with sediment and waste rock disposal, toxicity of the dewatering plume to deep-sea organisms, effects of increased light and noise in the deep ocean environment, and potential accidents on seafloor equipment or surface vessels.
c) Seafloor Product tools
The following are some of the issues:
i) This is a new technology for cutting and crushing rock material into small, sandy, gravel and silt collected and pumped into the ship above the site. We will have no idea with size of rock materials being dispersed and left at the bottom of ocean.
ii) The monitoring and evaluation of such tools operation and its impact is not included.
d) Oceanography and Meteorology
Some of the issues include:
i) Some of the monitoring and studies on the site for oceanography but needs a long time period to understand the currents, temperature, salinity etc and especially how the sediment load and waste is transferred in the ocean and will end up on the coastal areas and reef systems.
ii) Understanding of the storm surges, currents and up-welling events, El nino, pressure and other climate drivers in the Bismarck is critical for mitigating any potential disaster when shipping the ores between the oceans and Rabaul ports.
iii) A 24/7 weather monitoring and early warning station and strategy should be developed for the site and the surrounding communities and shipping groups.
iv) Results of oceanography and physio-chemical research for the last 5 years in the area and Bismarck and Solomon seas indicate the currents are indeed very fast as compared to EIS results.
e) Waste and Sediment quality
Some of the concerns includes:
i) The mining activities will produce approximately 2 millions tonnes( 8um size) of ore each year for the 3 years and the company has not identified where it will refine the ore.
ii) Most importantly, the toxic waste must be treated before it is returned into the ocean? Where is the treatment of the toxic waste performed?
iii) The large volume of fine Sediment and watered waste approximate 8um size will be deposited back into the bottom of the sea after the ore has been processed . The impacts of these very fine sediments and dissolved chemicals will impact the biodiversity and organism and the sediments can travel through the Bismarck seas , breeding grounds of fisheries, reefs and finally end up on beaches and coast areas of New Ireland, New Britain and Bismarck sea Provinces.
iv) Regarding impacts to the nearshore ecosystem, one of the greatest risks from the project is the potential loss of tow or power of an ore shuttle barge in route to Rabaul (the EIS projects 3-9 barge trips per week, with 6,000 tons of toxic ore onboard each transit), or of one of the 25,000 ton bulk ore freighters (3-6 trips per month from Rabaul)

v) Waste spillage and drifting ashore spilling its toxic cargo and fuel onto the coastal reef system and potential for the whole Bismarck seas/provinces.

iv) The waste was not considered at all in the EIS. Much of the EIS is simply too general in nature to determine impacts, and many of the mitigations proposed rely upon Environmental Management Plans and procedures that have yet to be developed by Nautilus
.
f) Biodiversity and biodiversity.
In this area the following were noted:
i) The short term work and research conducted in the PNG waters and Bismarck Seas and with this work reveal that most species discovered at vents are new to science, and in our biodiversity and fisheries sectors deep-sea habitats.

ii) Extensive patch of productive vent habitat, including tens of thousands of vent chimneys, killing virtually all of the attached organisms will be destroyed.Mining is expected to alter venting frequency and characteristics on surrounding seafloor areas as well, thus affecting the biodiversity of a much broader scale than just the mined site.

iii) Studies of the taxonomy and genetic relationships of macro-invertebrate species found at Solwara 1, South Su (upstream about 2 km), and Solwara 8 (downstream about 45 km) have not been completed, and thus the degree of genetic variability and endemism of organisms between sites is not yet known

iv) Biological and statistical assessment on the data and area is incomplete.

v) A number of hotspot biodiversity for the world designated in the areas next to the site is not assessed for community long term benefit.

vi) It is likely that the project would result in severe, prolonged, and perhaps region-wide impacts to a globally rare and poorly understood biological community, and it is clear that the EIS does not adequately assess many of these impacts. Further, the benefits to local people or the economy of PNG seem disproportionately low compared to the scale and risk of the project.

g) Research Period on the site.
Some the issues not included are:
i) The research understanding of the solowara 1 site and time frame is too short ( 1-3 years) to assess the viability of such project on the site .
ii) Not much studies were conducted around the site to better understand the comprehensive risk to the project and the marine resources such as fisheries, reefs, and coastal communities. While Nautilus conducted some extensive studies of the deep-sea benthic (bottom dwelling) communities at the site, no systematic study was conducted on the deep-sea pelagic (water column) community that would be impacted immediately overlying the seafloor.

iii) The need for long term research and monitoring must be developed to support PNG policy development and provide useful information in confidence on the new technology and tools used on and around the site.

5 Summary and conclusion.
The Solwara 1 EIS makes an initial contribution to deep-sea science understanding, it is clear that the EIS does not present sufficient information to which the PNG government can effectively judge the project’s expected impacts. Thus the EIS is judged as not fit-to-purpose. Many risk contingencies are poorly analyzed, some are not analyzed at all, and many of the baseline studies necessary to understand potential impacts have yet to be completed.
In addition it will be important to receive the Nautilus Company Environment Management Plan (EMP)urgently for review and evaluation. The EMP must contain important mitigation strategies, especially developing comprehensive hazard and risk management in the issues and concerns outlined such as developing strategies for sediment waste and tailing disposals, accidental spills on ships, social conflicts between communities and Nautilus workers.
It is imperative that the National government and the provincial governments gets its house in order first by developing its deep sea mining laws and its offshore policy before exploiting its natural resources in a sustainable approach in the oceans. The application of precautionary approach be applied to such project.
Given the issues raised, we recommended that the government of PNG and the important stakeholders delay the project implementation for the following reasons:
1. The Phase 1 EIS (EIA) is flawed and more research and development on the technology and methodologies be explored to improve the understanding of the deep sea mining and oceans resources.
2. No health risk assessment were undertaken and evaluated and for the benefit of our people we can say NO to the project as a NO Regret Option
3. While the Project could provide a gross almost $1 billion USD in its 30-month lifetime, it expects to provide only $41 million in total taxes and royalties to the government, a $1.5 million development fund, and a few dozen jobs at most to PNG nationals. The national impact is thus negligible( as compared to the mining venture on land).
4. . PNG Policies and Laws must be developed for Oceans resources urgently
5.Develop a PNG Scientific Industrial Research Organisation to be the technical advisory team and contribute to all science base projects for the government and its stakeholders
6. Set up a multi disciplinary committee to review the Solowara 1 project and make a recommendations to the government for a decision.
Finally, the of managing this challenge in the long term is through informed leadership, good governance and state of the art applied mitigation strategies

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Are we truly in dire need for protein to start eating leatherback turtle eggs?

It's truly sad to read about locals in the Huon coast, in Morobe Province harvesting leatherback turtle eggs for protein.  If the story in one of the daily newspapers yesterday is true, then I urge responsible stakeholders to address this issue.  Leatherback turtle is the largest sea turtle that has survived the dinosaur era some 100 million years ago. It swims the furthest (6,000 miles) from PNG to California and the Gulf of Mexico to feed before returning to PNG to nest.  It takes about two years for a matured leatherback turtle to travel this voyage.  After avoiding all the risks to arrive at its place of birth just to lay eggs and produce the next generation of leatherback turtles, it ends up in someone's pot and belly.  Some other unique features about the leatherback turtle is that they dive the deepest to feed on jelly fish, they measure about 3 meters and can weigh up to 500kg.  They are PNG's marine flagship.  Little is done to save them at the national and local level yet they happen to be one of PNG's key tourism products.  If saved and restored it could actually provide the same people who are harvesting and eating their eggs, added value through monetary benefit.  This alternative option can offset the lack of protein on their plates or source of income that is driving them to harvest leatherback turtle eggs for sale and for protein.  Once we see the significance of saving critically endangered species like this leatherback turtle, we will appreciate their importance and take pride to conserve them.  Saving key species help contribute towards saving our ecological system, restore and appreciate our cultural heritage, promotes wealth, and a array of other multiple positive impacts both locally and globally  in a larger scale. In New Guinea the second largest leatherback nesting site is found right there in Huon coast of Morobe Province second only to the largest site in West Papua.  Efforts are being made by our group (MAKATA) in Madang to save other sporadic nesting sites of the leatherback turtles.  We intend to sustain this effort both in Madang and in other parts of the county as long as we receive grants from generous donors.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

For and against experimental seabed mining on Facebook: Sharp Talk

 

Dear Friends of PNG Group against Seabed Experimental Mining,

My name is Mr. Wenceslaus Magun. I am the deputy chairman of the PNG Group against Seabed Experimental Mining.

In 2013, we established PNG Group against Seabed Experimental Mining.
Our group is planning to produce awareness materials using mugs, t'shirts, caps, birros, etc. But to do that we needed funds.

PNG Group against Seabed Mining is a not-for-profit group. We campaign to save protect, restore and sustainably use our marine ecological systems with the primary goal to stop experimental seabed mining in PNG.

Funds will also go towards research, campaign and litigation. Additional funds will go towards sending our delegation to attend the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG's Synod in Madang, fly in representatives of villagers or Civil Society Groups in all the coastal communities throughout PNG to attend our fourth general meeting in February 2013, launch PNGGaSEM and travel to Pacific Island countries to share information, and build an alliance.

We plan to start producing and disseminating:

100,000 mugs with our logo and promotional message on it.
100,000 caps with our logo and promotional message on it
100,000 t'shirts with our logo and promotional message on it
100,000 pens or birros with our logo and promotional message on it.
100,000 bags with our logo and promotional messages on it.
100,000 badges with our logo and promotional messages on it.
100,000 educational awareness posters
100,000 educational awareness DVDs,

Promotional Message: 1. Stop Ocean Crime. Say No to a) Seabed Mining, b) Mine Tailing Dumping c) Industrial Waste Dumping d) Riverine Tailing Dumping and e) Plastic Pollution

Our target audience will be coastal villagers and offshore island communities in the Bismarck Solomon Seas starting with New Ireland and East and West New Britain.

For details please contact me on magun.wences@gmail.com or call me on 71959665

Kind Regards,

wence
Like · · · Stop Notifications · December 31, 2013 at 8:58am

  • Wenceslaus Magun Joni we have that in mind. It comes under our advocacy products. In order to do that we need funds. Unless there are musicians out there who are willing to offer their service for this cause for free.
  • Wenceslaus Magun There are few proud and selfish individuals who will not stop at anything in the name of making money, be famous and rich at the expense of the majority who care so much about a safe, healthy and friendly environment. They would even court money in bed. I wonder if they eat money too?? Compare them to the majority of our rural folks who live off their marine environment. Anything goes wrong in the sea will affect our rural folks more than it would to these few elites, rich and powerful who live off their money.
  • Bryan Nonisa People of NIP.can yu please vote new freash heads in the next election and get rid of the Chans??Sir J the most controversial leader and PM in the history of this country and really bad at decision makings which resulted in his fall from grace during the 97 political impasse. What good is he??can you people see that he is utilising your tribesmanship loyalty for his own agenda in staying in power.Wake The Hell Up and start making some real decisions and stop dreaming.
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie Ep, ta for the info. Well, everyone's got an opinion, i got mine. Nautilus is coming up & i wanna see what happens, why not? Land had been mined for thousands of years & still we survive. Just a tiny frac of ocean and we fear the unknown. The government is in for the money & political gain, scientists are in for curiosity, thrills & discovery-human fear things that they dont understand. A controversial project but 'greed & fear' can be useful
  • Ep Coogan well it is true we all have opinions, mine is based on fact. What is your based on?
  • Ep Coogan Why NOT you ask. Beyond any other reason should be the small, FACT that this Canadian based company could not do exactly the same in its country of origin. WHY NOT? because they nations leaders signed an agreement to ban undersea mining.
  • Ep Coogan This tiny frac of ocean, is the most important part of all the oceans. Over 90% of all sea life relies on this tiny Frac of ocean. Ican tell you have no idea what is being discussed here. This is the Coral Triangle.
  • Ep Coogan Politicans are willing to do it for $$$yes, I agree, but these scientists etc are not doing it for thrills are you have suggested. The scientists are employees, they also do it for money.....Shareholders of the company do not care about you, PNG or the effects......The reasons they now develop this style of mining are..............If a mine is placed on Land, you have major issues, like Land rights, Labour rights, environmental standards, it is costly and long winded.....going undersea, solves many of these issues. Stop being ignorant, PNG is a caretaker to this area of our world. Nautlus has not the interests of the future generations of PNG, politicans have no interest in future generations as well. You Joey Pete Richard Jokisie are ignorant.
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie Ep, no pressure man relax, nobody's asking for your lecture, nobody's ignorant, im just sharing my thoughts

    Of course u live in a democratic country, u wanna carry a banner & walk down waigani, maybe write a song about it-please by all means; young graduates looking for a career to take challenges and advance, send in a CV to Nautilus; ordinary citizens fearing the worst, i dont blame you; government wanting to advance politically and economically, i'll say go for the kill- isnt democracy wonderful?
  • Steve Day Ep Coogan and as an addendum, do you know how much polition enters the waters of PNG from inappropriate logging and clearfelling for Oil Palm. And you say NOTHING ??
  • Ep Coogan Yes Steve I do. I have studied Marine resource management and I have plenty to say. Somewhere on You tube there is a video of a speech I gave in Madang.

    The issue at hand is seabed mining.
  • Ep Coogan The sea is worth more in Tourism. Tourism is an untapped source, employs more people, & profits stay within the country. Its other benefit is it can be passed down generations.
  • Joni Kiliana I met an Aussie geologist who did some work for Nautilius in our waters a couple of years ago....he reckoned our govt had made one of the worst decisions on the planet by allowing seabed mining.There was another Natilus employee ,an expat,who joined our NIP Facebook' group in 2012 to simply warn us about the side effects of this mining...SICK.
  • Ganam Gaegaming Naeman If you are up against Solwara1, please provide alternatives that will help sealed the roads, build bridges and fix health facilities for people of West Coast Central NIPs.
    They have been neglected for so long. Their Governor promised them to have their road sealed by 2011 and its now 2014. They have given their support and you dont have to be a rocket scientist to know "Why?". They need improved services and apparently the Gov cannot give them that.
  • Ep Coogan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLq9lFikHSU


    The coral reef ecosystems of the Coral Triangle have been under constant threat ...See More
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie NIP is a tiny area, u get a billion in there and u could transform this rural little island into a world class sustainable living space, people would eventually adapt & survive from fishing lines into pay checks & bank accounts

    Funny how people try to stand down Palm Island & World Map Island & today both Islands got a combined 100 000 plus likes on facebook than Ocean Conservation pages trailing with 6000 likes in total
    People are unpredictable, selfish & afraid of the things that we dont understand but if you make up for the damage you pose, and risks u take, everyone's got a happy face at the end of the day & doubts forgotten

    75% of the earth is water, 15% is land. We been manipulating & exploiting that 15% for ages & yet we survive. Just a tiny dot in the 75% and we fear human extinction? USA may land on the moon but im down to see PNG rise from under the ocean
  • Wenceslaus Magun Flash Back: Four new mines in 10 years. A story that was published on Monday, November 18, 2013, The National, page 53. It says ..."Four large mining operations are soon to come on stream in the next 10 years...Mt Kare (17 km) west of Pogera gold mine, Yandera in Madang, Frieda project at the border of East and West Sepik, and Walfi Golpu project in Morobe." So why are we so desperate to go into seafloor experimental mining? Are we a desperate nation? Are we existing solely on money? Common PNG, enough of making unwise and stupid decisions. 2014 should be the year of implementation as the PM said and we need to ensure that hasty and selfish decisions in this country must not be entertained. Everything you heard from Nautilus Minerals Ltd and supported by Mineral Resources Authority and lined agencies is based on assumptions because there is no seabed mining in the world. Turn your other ears and listen to Prof. Richard Steiner, Dr. Helen Rosenbaum, Prof Chalapan Kaluwin, and many other top marine scientists. If they have not opposed seabed mining in PNG then we would not worry. But they have cautioned us not to rush the process but to ensure that all environmental impact studies, Nautilus's Environmental Management Plan (WHICH NO ONE HAS SEEN), and other independent studies and assessments must be carried out first to ensure that all is safe, healthy and friendly before we venture into the abyss to mine the seafloors. Little is known about that environment and there is much more to learn about it. PNGeans we are not so desperate to take this step. Not at all!! At Christmas the three wise men from the East came to visit Jesus. It is about time we start listening to our wise men and women in this age and time. Haste brings waste!! There's NO tangible benefit in Misima. Look at Bougainville! We have not stopped dumping wastes into Ok Tedi. So don't be carried away by false promises from mining companies. There's enough propaganda by mining companies in EMTV. Companies in PNG enjoy more tax incentives or exemptions compared to companies operating in other parts of the world due to our leaders making stupid, unwise and selfish decisions. Now is the time to put an end to this approach of doing things. You and I must make some bold decisions if we truly want to see some positive change in our beautiful country.
  • Wenceslaus Magun Say N0 to experimental seabed mining. You deserve MORE!
  • Ganam Gaegaming Naeman The roads in Lihir is sealed and they built a relatively good hospital that will be left behind for the Island community to use.
    We may all not be marine scientists but we do have some fair understanding of the "possible" effects of seabed minining.
    Please provide real alternatives for the villagers that will be directly affected. Tell them how you plan to have their roads sealed, bridges built and health facilities upgraded?? Nautilus has promised them that so if you dont give them a better option, you can write a texbook on negative effects of seabed mining but it wont mean anything to them and the mining will go ahead
  • Wenceslaus Magun I believe we can build PNG on our human resources and on our land, marine, water, and tourism industry. Lets take stock of our past experiences. Lets learn from our mistakes. Lets build our economy on the backs of our renewable resources. Lets change our way of thinking and doing things! Stop believing that mining is the only way out of our economic ills!
  • Wenceslaus Magun Lazy people look for easy way out of their problems. They see mining as the sole economic potential for this nation and they invest all in it! Yet wise economic gurus have advised us not to put all our eggs in one basket!
  • Joni Kiliana GGN we all know NIP needs improved services and some of us thought the oil palm projects plus Lihir Gold,Simberi etc were gonna solve NIPs problems..what happened? Back in the 1980s when exploration was being carried out on Lihir and Tabar by Kennecott Niugini Mining plus the European company CDC buying Land along the Buluminski Highway for oil palm there were talks that KAVIENG was gonna surpass Rabaul as soon as everything kicked off,roads were gonna be sealed,improved health care,London bridges were gonna be built from KAVIENG CITY to the Neighboring Tigak Islands..our passbooks(bank accounts) would run out of pages as funds would flow in like river Jordan etc..Supporters of these projects,including politicians, echoed these so called good news right around NIP,through our local NBC radio New Ireland etc etc..Our high school got a contract with CDC and on weekends we,students,choped hectares of bushes with our bush knives from Madina area to Munawai/Lugagun so CDC could grow their oil palm..their executives drove from their head quarter in Lakurumau spreading the same gospel to us that NIP would surpass every province in PNG,wealth would rain down on us like mana from heaven..fast forward to 2014 and NIP has gone nowhere despite Lihir Gold,Tarbar diamond/Gold and oilpalm..How many more mines do we need in NIP before we can see improved services?.now we are hearing the same mauswara about sealed roads,wealth etc that the seabed mining would bring.OLOBOI..oli ting yumi short memory na no nap tingim mauswara blo bipo?.We've heard all those mauswara talks before by supporters of these projects ..it's not new..nogat turu..that's why me againstim..totally against seabed..if NIP has gone nowhere despite Lihir and Simberi what makes you think seabed mining will get us somewhere?..we can have a million mining activities in our backyard but if we have the same corrupt,crooked politicians running the show from Waigani then we will never prosper as we have witnessed since our independence,..we'll end up destroying our environment for peanuts..NIP is a paradise on Earth,it should concentrate on TOURISM
  • Sineina M Tosali Joey Pete Richard Jokisie what prove do you have when it will be the 1st ever EXPERIMENTAL seabed mining..your campaigns are not completed, and we will stand to.demand a CONFIRMEF neutral scientific report..
  • Ep Coogan PNG waters are considered the last frontier. Every week more species are discovered by scientists. This is a link to one other area which is not impossible to pursue. http://www.noaa.gov/features/economic_0309/medicines.html

    www.noaa.gov
    Ocean exploration often leads to new ideas, new theories and discoveries, includ...See More
  • Wenceslaus Magun Thanks Joni! There are many who have NOT faced the reality on the ground. I had worked in Milne Bay and had visited the Misima mines and know what had happened there. I have been to most mining sites and affected communities in my job. I have been to Aiambak, Lake Murray, Boset, Binge, Krumbukari, Mindere, and the list goes on. I grew up in Utu, in transgogol area of Madang where JANT did clear felling of the tropical virgin forests there. I lived in New Ireland, East New Britain. Not many people who are for experimental seabed mining have had the opportunity I have had. I have traveled abroad too and have assessed the state of affairs other nations live in comparison to PNG and have asked so many questions why PNG with all its natural, and human resources wealth cannot have the best infrastructures, best social services, etc. In fact I have been one of the few lucky Papua New Guineans who have had the opportunity to attend SOPAC DSM meetings in Tonga and Vanuatu. I know a fair bit of who the players are and what kind of technology they intend to use in this business.
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie Whoever those PNG environmental advisors are, they're only telling the government their fears & problems. A classic real scientist is not afraid to take on the unknown, Einstein, Franklin, Newton and Neil Armstrong took one single step that changed mankind forever. I'm a biochemistry student, if im advising the government, i'll take that challenge head on and come up with measures to reduce impact instead of backing down and see my country drag on international donation & grants & yet people crying for development. It's an economical & scientific opportunity to shine, why not?
  • Wenceslaus Magun Thanks Joni! There are many who have NOT faced the reality on the ground. I had worked in Milne Bay and had visited the Misima mines and know what had happened there. I have been to most mining sites and affected communities in my job. I have been to Aiambak, Lake Murray, Boset, Binge, Wawoi Guavi, Krumbukari, Mindere, and the list goes on. I grew up in Utu, in transgogol area of Madang where JANT did clear felling of the tropical virgin forests there. I lived in New Ireland, East New Britain. Not many people who are for experimental seabed mining have had the opportunity I have had. I have traveled abroad too and have assessed the state of affairs other nations live in comparison to PNG and have asked so many questions why PNG with all its natural, and human resources wealth cannot have the best infrastructures, best social services, etc. In fact I have been one of the few lucky Papua New Guineans who have had the opportunity to attend SOPAC DSM meetings in Tonga and Vanuatu. I know a fair bit of who the players are and what kind of technology they intend to use in this business.
  • Sineina M Tosali JOEY are you so sure that the technology supposingly to be used won't bother the marine life at 1600m? will they be any impacts on the sound and lighting causes because I understand that fish a very sensitive to sound and lights..you think that is okay, disturbance...
  • Ep Coogan development without thought of future generations is NOT development, it is a temporary cure with bad side effects. This is the most bio diverse area in the world. This is not an exaggeration, this is fact. The slightest unbalance will see the most basic of life on earth die. PLANKTON. It is critical for all life in the ocean. Kill Plankton Kill all life in oceans

    The Coral Triangle has been an evolutionary hot spot due to the combination of light, high water temperature, and strong, nutrient-rich currents from the collision of the Pacific and Indian oceans. The seasonal influx of nutrients from these deep ocean upwellings along with equatorial sunshine and warm seas results in an abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton. This provides nourishment for corals, fish (larvae) as well as migrating giants like manta rays and whale sharks. The presence of coral reefs and mangrove forests buffers the effects of storms and tsunamis on coastal communities of the Coral Triangle. The abundant resources of the Triangle directly support the livelihoods of 126 million people as well as benefiting millions of others worldwide. The total annual economical value of natural habitats in the Coral Triangle including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds is an estimated US $2.3 billion. Not to mention the ever-growing business of ecotourism, as well as the multi-billion dollar tuna industry that is directly supported by the spawning and nursery grounds of the Coral Triangle, making it even more obvious why their protection is paramount. Many commercially important species of fish inhabit these waters, making them an ideal place for local people to live and work.

    "An unbelievable amount of biodiversity is condensed into less than 1% of the world's ocean surface area.
  • Wenceslaus Magun A true scientist without selfish interest will advise the government to adhere to the precautionary principle.
  • Ep Coogan seems to me the only argument that Joey and I will ever agree on is the fact that a big multi nation company is using a third world under developed country for its experiment. Explain that to your grandchildren Joey., Good luck on that one son.
  • Sineina M Tosali and the guinea pig experiments must stop.
  • Wenceslaus Magun The government and Nautilus owe the people of PNG, past, present and future plenty of reasons why they are making a hasty decision without ensuring that independent assessments are conducted to ensure the technology and the experimental mining is environmentally friendly, safe, and healthy. We have yet to see and assess Nautilus Environmental Management Plan. If you rush the process PNGeans have the right to stop it!
  • Sineina M Tosali Undersea Mining Acts, Undersea Environmental Acts and Laws, Ocean Laws and Policy...Png do we such guidance????/
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie I study biology, i know all about conservation but i also know a golden scientific & economical opportunity when i see one

    Nautilus is working with our UPNG marine biology and environmental science and we going underwater

    Well, for all i know, the government owes its share of infrastructure contribution to Nautilus so Nautilus is on the move. All the best with the anti-sea mining campaign
  • Sineina M Tosali you were only talking monetary and so called economical terms...as a marine biology I bet you would agree with the points Ep Coogan posted on the Coral Triangle..I bẹt you, you would agree on that, would you?
  • Ken White When you mess around with nature , then expect nature to retaliate lo way blem..
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie Yes of course, like i said i know all about conservation, i agree with Ep & Magun & i respect their views, they correct in every sense. But if there's one thing that science thought me, it's about; taking risks, challenge the fear of the unknown and find solution to grab opportunities instead of putting forward problems & backing down, that's the pinnacle of science, ask Newton & Armstrong when u get the chance
  • Sineina M Tosali Please tell me what do you think about seabed mining in PNG and its ever 1st experimental one?
  • Ep Coogan My studies taught me nothing is random. If you study it long enough, how long is should be studied is the million $ question
  • Joni Kiliana JPRJ Newtons risk was nothing compared to the one Nautilus will take..billions of precious marine lives at risk if disasster strikes,Neil Armstrong and USA faked the moon landing(end of story ) plus you mentioned Einstein in your previous comment above,well,Einstein equals disaster,precious innocent lives lost in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,THE HYDROGEN ATOMIC BOMB -Einstein tasol..his risk taking =disaster.
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie Sine read all my post if u miss out on my opinion . Joni, Newton didn't bomb Hiroshima, man's greed & selfish ambitions did And it dont matter what conspiracy said, USA gets down in history
  • Joni Kiliana JPRJ I didn't say Newton bomb Hiroshima,read my last comment properly..i said Einstein,I was responding to your other comment above where you mentioned him..btw if it wasn't for Einstein and his crazy experiment there wouldn't be any Atomic bomb,simple as that.USA will down in history for lying about the moon landing...
  • Sineina M Tosali you can go on with such history and history also tells us to take precautionary measures as well after it became knowledgeable..You are correct by saying to take in new challenges but sometimes we need to seriously consider the pros and cons of such unpredictable developments on such new findings of experiments..
  • Sineina M Tosali Agree with you Joni Kiliana..my above post was to Joey Pete..
  • Angelo Daniel @ jprj,what are you talking about?this is not a medical research to cure cances or some exploration to the moon?expiriment what?tell me one third world country on earth that had a mine n after the companies that mined took left the livly hood of the the people and environmemt imroved or what proper alternatives did the offer for the destruction other than royalty,o better yet name a place in png?we have enough mines n enough destruction!bagarapim giraon inap noken karim go lo solwara!cos if we conteminate the sea,would really muj apprecite jprj,newton n einstain to come up with an antidote to clean the whole bismark sea..etc.its not an unknown frontier!we already know what mineing does!
  • Ori Png Science has nothing to do with all these. The main motivation is money. This project is hinging in simulated models that have yet to be tested in real environments. We are putting the entire marine life in the Bismarck sea at unknown risks because of some rich peoples desire to make money off our ignorance.
  • Joey Pete Richard Jokisie Well, let me conclude it this way: First of all, Mr. Magun is doing a great job, well done.
    Second, the government is stretching the economy & creating jobs. Third, people wishing to go against the sea-bed mining, please do so, it's your democratic right. Finally, for us, we're in for various reasons: new discovery, challenge, economy, politics, history.

    Nevertheless, Nautilus is underway, all the best with the anti-seabed mining campaign. I rest my case
  • Ori Png Direct employment in this project belongs to robots, we may be lucky if any spin-off employment and business opportunities exists, my guess is with the heavy investment in the high tech facility and automation, we will be getting a very small slice of the cake. Discovery? Destroy the marine life in its natural habitat and you will have nothing to discover. The challenge is not ours, we will be spectating. Tell us how many PNG specialist were involved in the feasibility studies and in the design and testing of the equipment? We loose again. There are more reasons why this project should be abandoned and mostly because we will be the biggest losers.
  • Ep Coogan http://www.actnowpng.org/.../please-help-stop... Please join this group and sign the petition.

    www.actnowpng.org
    Experimental seabed mining could soon begin in the Pacific Ocean despite the risks of an environmental catastrophe and the fact it is not a sustainable development option for indigenous peoples.
  • Sineina M Tosali thumps up Ori Png groomly said.
  • Bryan Nonisa Sad fact is Nautilus is ready and set to carry out the operation sooner.
  • Ep Coogan Even the Great Barrier Reef is under threat from a number of fronts. The world has gone mad for mining. Time to start developing Jellyfish recipes for your grandchildren folks, the days of a plentiful sea are numbered few, watch it as it turns red.
  • Sineina M Tosali amazing how the current explorations licenses were awarded. ref..MRA and Nautilus exploration mappings of August 2008
  • Ganam Gaegaming Naeman Very strong arguments against seabed mining. However non of you provided "alternatives" for funding of infrastructures in the area. Unless you provide that to the West Coast people of Central NIPs, you can go on and waste your time but Government gave ...See More
  • Sineina M Tosali I think we have experienced a fair enough mining exploitation that causes a lot of destructions that warrants an unrest.,and seabed mining is a new thing, you expect the developer would outline the impacts...the locals entrusted leaders who were suppo...See More
  • Ori Png Tourism is a sustainable multi-billion dollars alternative, NIP and Niugini Islands for that matter has the potential to become the play ground for the worlds rich and famous... Opportunity is there...why can't this be taken up as an alternative? That is reason enough for going against the sea bed mining...
  • Sineina M Tosali and they should be saying NO to seabed mining to protect their people and the environment...