 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In this section: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related topics |
|
|
|
|
Trouble for Highlands Pacific? Civil Unrest Results in Bloodshed as Kainantu Mine Pushes Ahead
Wednesday 29 October 2003
Reports of violence amongst communities around the Kianantu gold mine in the Eastern raise fears of civil unrest and human rights violations associated with the Highlands Pacific gold project in PNG.
This week, the Mineral Policy Institute received information on the deaths of at least three people as police task forces were sent into the region to deal with clashes amongst a variety of landowners, allegedly over landownership claims. Reports from a number of reliable sources in the region confirmed that an outlaw faction of the Waterais landowners, whose land is proposed for the infrastructure, township and processing plant for the mine, joined with clans from further up in the Highlands and a shoot out between police and these groups resulted in 3 dead and six people hospitalized. The event, which took place earlier this month was confirmed by sources within the company.
The development of the Highlands Pacific project has been plagued with landowner disputes, with injunctions taken out by landowners that are currently under consideration at the land titles commission in PNG. The mining company has continued to proceed towards finalisation of landowner agreements despite the unresolved conflicts- alienating and frustrating landowners.
Statements, dated July this year, from community leaders in the region stated that current processes in relation to the mine have divided communities, and “lost our trust by trying to push the mine to go ahead with out regard to our concerns,” resulting in landowner disputes and conflicts that are now expected to cause long term social problems and have the likelihood of leading to human rights abuses in the region.
These events highlight concerns over the company’s inability to deal with the growing likelihood of increasing violence and civil unrest as the mine seeks final agreements to gain the go ahead. Attacks on the mine property were already reported in the environmental plan for the mine- a clear warning sign of things to come.
If the company proceeds with its current approach, pushing through the mine without dealing with the wider social ramifications and conflicts surrounding the development, the mine looks set to follow in the path of the Pogera mine, which has experienced recurring attacks on infrastructure and extensive mine closures due to civil unrest and destruction of mine related property.
The area is also home to a large number of traditional small-scale miners, who, if disenfranchised, may contribute to growing violence, and increase the probability of human rights violations.
These latest events lead on from statements in July this year by community leaders from both the Waterais area, where infrastructure is planned, and the Middle Ramu area, which lies downstream of the mine, who have expressed opposition to the project on the basis of the unacceptable impacts upon their communities and the risks to their environments.
Independent investigations into the environmental plan have also highlighted major gaps in baseline studies for the mine, and a failure to address serious social issues associated with the development of the mine. A preliminary study by the Mineral Policy Institute detailed an EIA that is so flawed; it would not be acceptable to regulators in Australia.
For more information, please contact:
Techa Beaumont
Executive Director
Workphone: +61 2 9557 9019
Mobile: +61 (0) 409 318 406
Created: 01 Jan 1970 | Last updated: 29 Oct 2003
 Print this page 
Email to a friend Return to top
|
|
|
|
|
