Petromin Funds Independent Environment Study of Auga and Angabanga Rivers
Petromin PNG Holdings Limited is funding a Scientific Team to conduct an independent assessment of alleged environmental impact of the Tolukuma Mine on populations around the site and downstream communities along the Auga and Angabanga Rivers .
The Team comprises of medical doctors, chemists, geochemists, dieticians, hydrographers and hydrologists.
Under the Terms of Reference, the team will conduct an independent study on the allegations of environmental contamination leveled against the Tolukuma Mine Operations. Their study will consist of four important components;
These are;
Hydrology
Water/Sediment Quality
Dietary
Health
Members of the Independent Study Team include Professor Tukutau Taufa, Associate Professor in Tropical Disease at James Cook University, David York of DY Environmental Consultant, Dr Koddy Bomareo who is the Deputy Principal Scientist at the Angau General Hospital, hydrologist Ronald Geroia of Angau General Hospital and other highly qualified scientists and technical officers.
The field work will take approximately two weeks to complete at Mekeo and Goilala. This will be followed by the final report with relevant observations and recommendations by August 2008.
It will involve the scientists assessing sediments, fish tissues, aquatic animal organs, food, human blood and hair, human feaces, water quality at the river and at the water wells and assessment of the soil surrounding water wells and assessment of river sediments.
The field work is important to verify claims contained in alleged studies by certain parties that has stirred controversy surrounding the environmental impact of the Tolukuma mine, especially on populations along the river and downstream communities.
The study once completed, will be peer reviewed by an independent panel of international and national experts. Recommendations of the study will be referred to Petromin for appropriate attention.
The Managing Director and CEO of Petromin, Mr. Joshua Kalinoe said as a company wholly owned by the State, Petromin wants to be a leader in environment management.
“This is the real opportunity for us, as a wholly owned state company to set the standards with respect to statutory compliance and waste management practices”, Mr. Kalinoe said.
The study is independent of the study commissioned by the Department of Environment and Conservation.