BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Melchor Mataki says the government through its responsible line ministries will be working together to address pollution issues surrounding Siruka mining operation in Choiseul province.
Speaking during the recent Prime Minister’s press conference, the SPM stressed the need to recognise that all major ocean pollutions originate from land-based activities.
What is done on the land is reflected in the ocean.
“We need to fix the land issues first before we can effectively address issues to do with the sea,” he said.
Regarding mining operations in North Choiseul, Mataki explained the Ministry of Environment is responsible for ensuring compliances with environmental regulations.
Besides that, he added there is also operational aspects which the Ministry of Mines and Energy supposed to be also looking at.
“Whether processing or extraction of ore is designed to minimise outflow into the ocean.
“It’s the matter of these two ministries working on that,” Mataki noted.
The SPM said the issue has been raised with both ministries and they must work together to sort out deficiencies in the environmental management plan, for example the one the company has for managing ore.
He furthered that in their management plan; it should also have measures that would include how to manage sediment flows.
“They should check on those ones. This is the matters of two-line ministries to enforce compliances on the environmental management plan as well as the mining plan.
“Beside that as well, it is important that the company also does its obligations. It’s something all parties have to work together.
“Government agencies and the company have to play their parts. This issue needs to address and the two-line ministries and the company must do so,” the SPM said.