A delegation from the East Sepik Provincial Administration visited Ok Tedi Mining (OTML) in early August to prepare for the upcoming Frieda River copper-gold project.
The visit was hosted by OTML from August 11–16 and aimed to help the delegates understand the various aspects of OTML’s mine operations.
Those in attendance took a tour of the mine, mill and Ok Menga hydro power station, and had the chance to witness the second stage of regional meetings for the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) review.
Delegates also saw how OTML manages mine waste, the pyrite concentrate plant, environmental monitoring, community relations and programs, and national and local content business structure.
“If [an] environmental permit is granted, East Sepik Provincial Administration will be tasked with managing a large mine’s environmental impact and benefit sharing agreements and negotiations,” East Sepik Provincial Administration team lead Martin Torovi said.
“We Sepiks do not have the experience to manage these issues. As such we reached out to Ok Tedi for the learning experience.
“We also could not have asked for a better time to conduct this visit. We had the opportunity to observe the CMCA meetings that is very appropriate to the concerns we have.”
OTML managing director and chief executive officer Kedi Ilimbit said the company was pleased to have hosted the delegates.
“We believe the visit has provided them valuable information as they prepare for the upcoming Frieda River project and its impacts in their respective region and province,” he said.
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