ACT NOW!, has welcomed the public admission by Harmony Gold and Newcrest Mining that sediment run off from their Hidden Valley mine has caused pollution in the Watut river.

"This is a significant step forward by two leading companies and we welcome their announcement," says Effrey Dademo, Program Manager for ACT NOW! 

"Hopefully responsible resource companies are beginning to see the need for much greater transparency, honesty and respect for local people."

Last week ACT NOW! launched an email action calling on Harmony and Newcrest to come clean about their pollution of the Watut river. Since then over 100 emails have been sent to the CEO's of both companies through the ACT NOW! website.

The mining companies have also announced steps to seek a 'constructive resolution' of the problems caused by the pollution in consultation with local people and the setting up of an independent expert technical committee to review the scientific data.

"This is a significant step forward in our campaign to ensure that foreign companies operating in Papua New Guinea adhere to the same high standards that apply in their home countries", says Ms Dademo.

"We hope that other mining companies like Highlands Pacific, MCC, Marengo and Nautilus, that want to dump their mine waste into our seas, are watching closely and will re-consider their plans".