24 October 2019

Madang Governor Peter Yama...thanked the Government for taking a bold step in shutting down the Ramu Nico mine indefinitely.

He said it was a sign of victory for the small people of Madang and Papua New Guinea against a Chinese multi-national that was continuously breaking PNG regulations. Mineral Resources Authority...ordered the mine shut down until it meets conditions it has not met under its MOU.

Mr Yama...said: “I have engaged Dr Monzon and his scientists from Switzerland and they will return at the end of this month to do further sampling.”

The Monzon tests earlier proved that the slurry spill and deep sea tailing pipeline dumping has affected the sea, marine life and people. Mr Yama said the scientific findings showed the presence of very heavy metals including mercury.

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He said the developer MCC should have built a tailings dump on land at Usino Bundi. “You cannot gamble with the lives of my people,” he said.

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