The Mineral Policy Institute concentrates on six thematic programs as well as working in specifc countries and on specifc projects;
Mined Your Own Waste - a program adressing mine waste disposal particluarly into waterways such as at Lihir, Misima, Simberi and Ramu or riverine such as at Ok Tedi and Porgera, all in Papua New Guinea.
Mountain top Mining - Erosion and pollution problems associated with mountain top mining in New Caledonia.
Pollution - of waterways from mining activities, this occurs almost everywhere with a current example being the Ranger mine in the Northern Territory [Australia]; there are also many sites of concern where pollution is suspected such as McArthur River [Australia]; and sites where standards are low or governance is lacking such as the uranium mine in Kayelekera [Malawi].
Deep Sea Mining - is an emerging technology with companies keen to mine ocean deposits that are far from scrutiny and without adequate understanding of the issues, risks and consequences of mining our oceans. Papua New Guinea, a developing country that struggles to cope with terrestrial mining has approved deep sea mining in the Bismarck Sea.
Future of Mining - research that challenges the role of mining in society, exploring ways for industry and governemnt to reduce the negative impacts and increase the benefits from mining, especially for local communities. The need for which is equally well demonstrated by excessive rents in mining towns in Australia's norther-west as it is in the southern highlands of PNG where people living next to a power have no electicity in their homes.
Responsible Mining - seeks to modify mining activities and projects to minimise negative economic, social and enviornemntal impacts, which disproportionately affect the most disadvantaged and to ensure a more equitable distribution of the benefits of mining activity.
In due time pages of information on these issues will appear on the website, we also invite content and contact from people working in these areas.