Friends of the Earth and ACT NOW PNG! were unable to deliver copies of more than 500 protest letters from Papua New Guinea villagers to mining company Highlands Pacific office in Brisbane Australia today because the company had closed its office. The protest letters request Highlands Pacific to halt dumping toxic waste into the sea.
Friends of the Earth is working with ACT NOW PNG to bring the voices of Papua New Guinea villages and customary land owners to Australia is the lead up to Michael Somare, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, visit to Australia in the coming weeks.
“We are really disappointed,” said spokesperson Iona Reto, “members of the public are rightly concerned that Highlands Pacific wants to dump millions of tons of toxic waste into the sea, but the company doesn’t even have the decency to accept our protest letters.”
“We are really disappointed,” said spokesperson Iona Reto, “members of the public are rightly concerned that Highlands Pacific wants to dump millions of tons of toxic waste into the sea, but the company doesn’t even have the decency to accept our protest letters.”
Highlands Pacific Limited plan to dump 1 million tones of toxic waste in the form of mine tailings into the sea. Such practice is not allowed in Australia but for the Australian ASX listed company and its shareholders Deep Sea Tailings dumping is okay if it is out of sight in Papua New Guinea.
The impact from this dumping, like seen in previous toxic waste spills and illegal dumping, will kill millions of fish, poison water supplies, create major health risk and take away the traditional lively hoods and way of life of villages. Australian shareholders should take action and stop this outrageous practice and expect Australian ASX listed company to show regard for citizens and the environment when conducting business overseas.
Friends of the Earth and ACT NOW! had contacted Highlands Pacific in advance to notify them of the planned delivery of the protest letters. “We have shown them every courtesy and are simply trying to exercise our natural rights. Highlands Pacific has failed to condemn threats and violence against landowners in Papua New Guinea and now they have literally locked their door in our faces”, said Ms Reto.
Highlands Pacific’s decision to close its offices and not accept the protest letters was done in the full face of the media with reporters from the ABC, SBS and APP all on‐site. ACT NOW! is planning further protests in Australia with companies like Marengo Mining also planning to dump mine waste into the sea and Newcrest Mining responsible for the pollution of the Watut river.
For further information and comment contact Effrey Dademo on +675 7347 7806 or Prue Bodsworth on +61 431 170 152
The impact from this dumping, like seen in previous toxic waste spills and illegal dumping, will kill millions of fish, poison water supplies, create major health risk and take away the traditional lively hoods and way of life of villages. Australian shareholders should take action and stop this outrageous practice and expect Australian ASX listed company to show regard for citizens and the environment when conducting business overseas.
Friends of the Earth and ACT NOW! had contacted Highlands Pacific in advance to notify them of the planned delivery of the protest letters. “We have shown them every courtesy and are simply trying to exercise our natural rights. Highlands Pacific has failed to condemn threats and violence against landowners in Papua New Guinea and now they have literally locked their door in our faces”, said Ms Reto.
Highlands Pacific’s decision to close its offices and not accept the protest letters was done in the full face of the media with reporters from the ABC, SBS and APP all on‐site. ACT NOW! is planning further protests in Australia with companies like Marengo Mining also planning to dump mine waste into the sea and Newcrest Mining responsible for the pollution of the Watut river.
For further information and comment contact Effrey Dademo on +675 7347 7806 or Prue Bodsworth on +61 431 170 152
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