Morobe Governor, Kelly Naru, questioned a mining company about the impacts of its future chromite tailings on the surrounding environment at the Mining conference in Lae today.
It comes amidst, growing interest in mineral deposits along Morobe’s Huon coastlines leading up to Bulolo.
Governor Naru raised environmental concerns regarding Katana Group Limited’s, extracting chromite in Salamua to Project Manager, Phil McMurtie, who was at the Mining Conference, to give an update on the company’s operations.
Morobe Governor, Kelly Naru asked whether the operations would affect Leather back turtles that frequent the Lababia area on the Huon Peninsular.
“We have an endangered species of turtle in that area,” he says.
Governor Naru posed a question that includes all other life in the ecosystem; environmental concerns have plagued other mines.
McMurite explained that phase one studies have been done and have showed that the turtles don’t go up the rivers where chromite is extracted, but more studies have to be conducted. “We have conducted first base line studies already,” he says.
Chromite when exposed to people in large amounts in the air is harmful. It settles on water and soil and is taken into the body. Geological surveys indicate more deposits in the Huon Peninsular.
But, this morning, Morobe Governor, Kelly Naru made it clear that his government will support miners and mining companies that are responsible in their duty and their care.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=GEhycxEcpYE%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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