The people of Biliau and Galil from the Raikos area of Madang province are standing together and saying No to Experimental Seabed Mining as this would affect their livelihoods and environment. They depend entirely on the sea for their daily subsistence.

The villagers and locals were attending an awareness on experimental sea bed mining organised by Act Now! and Tropical Gem to learn about the proosed Solwara 1 seabed mine. 

People were amazed that the mine will be the very first in the world, but the government and mining company, Nautilus Minerals have not carried out any proper awareness to inform them about the intended mining activity and possible impacts.

The biggest concern among the people is their solwara and their environment. They say they are part of the Bismarck sea and will feel the impact of what happens across the water close to New Ireland. "No one can tell us that this will not affect us too".

They say nothing good has come out from the many land based mines in the country and they are living just next door to the Basamuk refinery but see nothing has changed since the mine started operation.

They are simply saying no to experimental seabed mining.