04/11/2025
It has come to our attention that the proposed Frieda River Copper-Gold Project is progressing toward development. While we understand the governmentโs desire for economic growth, we are deeply worried about the potential environmental destruction and long-term risks associated with this mine, particularly the management of tailings and waste.
We have been told that the company will ensure โzero spillageโ into the Sepik River. However, based on the experiences of similar mines around the world, we know that tailings dams and waste storage facilities can and do fail, sometimes catastrophically. Heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and natural disasters, all common in Papua New Guinea, make such promises impossible to guarantee. Once toxic waste enters the Sepik River, the damage will be irreversible. No amount of compensation can restore a poisoned river or heal the suffering of the people who depend on it.
The Sepik River is not just water; it is life itself. It sustains our gardens, our fish, our traditions, and our spirits. It is our identity. Protecting it should be a national priority for present and future generations.
We therefore humbly and strongly request that the Government of Papua New Guinea:
โข Suspend approval of the Frieda River project until a fully independent and transparent environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) is carried out, involving genuine consultation with all affected communities along the Sepik River.
โข Ensure free, prior, and informed consent of all local landowners before any mining activity proceeds.
โข Commit to alternative, sustainable development that protects our natural heritage rather than risking it for short-term economic gain.
โข Recognize the Sepik River as a living cultural and ecological treasure deserving of the highest legal and environmental protection.
