Source: PNG Mine Watch

LONDON: This morning, NGOs and civil society are outside the 5^th Annual Deep Sea Mining Summit calling for a ban on a potentially environmentally destructive “frontier” industry. They are calling on the EU to stop funding such reckless development activities and are standing in solidarity with NGOs, churches and community across the Pacific.

Source: 4-Traders, Fiji

A new World Bank report recommends that Pacific Island countries supporting or considering deep sea mining activities proceed with a high degree of caution to avoid irreversible damage to the ecosystem, and ensure that appropriate social and environmental safeguards are in place as part of strong governance arrangements for this emerging industry.

MINING MINISTER: THERE ARE NO CUSTOMARY RIGHTS OVER SEAS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND THE LANDOWNERS WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM THE SOLAWARA 1 PROJECT

Unitech New Ireland Students addressing the ministers about Seabed Mining, Lae

Source: PNG Village

A computer diagram of the undersea mining of the Solwara 1 Project in New Ireland Province.

Nautilus Minerals, the developer of the Solwara 1 Project is currently developing a Environment Management Plan and monitoring programmes for the project.

According to Nautilus, this is a contingency plan to put to action just in case an unexpected incident occurs during the operation of the project that would require emergency response.