“Basamuk Spill Poisonous, Scientists Claim”, 4 November 2019

International scientists engaged by the Madang provincial government claimed last Friday that they have data to prove that the Basamuk spill was poisonous to the people of Madang…, [claiming]…the chemical spill by…Ramu [Nickel]…[will] take four to five years for the sea to get to what is was. [S]cientific laboratory results of a sample test of a dead dolphin…confirmed the heavy presence of chemicals [and] that…fish species, algae and plan[t] deaths were due to the heavy metal laden slurry spill.

A team…from the Swiss Association for Quality and Environment Management..., led by Dr Alex Mojon, are now in Madang to further test new areas in the Basamuk Bay. [A] Madang Provincial team and the scientists met with the Minister for Mining…and Minister for Environment…to further cement their resolve to come up with solutions that can be addressed across all levels of government. Dr Mojon said the results and interpretations were scientific data which were not focusing on any non-intended [or] intended legal [accusations]…but were a data bank which [will] be the base for further…cooperation.

[Ramu Nickel] executives told the Post-Courier they will seek legal advice…before making any comments but assured they are ready for roundtable meetings will all stakeholders.