The Ok Tedi Mine:

Copper and Gold Tailings

Papua New Guinea

Ok Tedi Mine

The Ok Tedi mine is found in Mt Fubilan which is part of the Star Mountains situated on the Ok Tedi River. The mine which began operating in 1984 is run by the Ok Tedi Mining Ltd. (OTML), Broken Hill Propriety (BHP) along with the PNG government owning 20%.

A photo of the Ok Tedi mine and the actual gold and copper mill atop of Mt. Fubilan.

As of today, the conditions along the Ok Tedi River have not improved and only continue to worsen. The disposal of the mine wastes into the Ok Tedi have increased the base sediment load by 140%. If left alone to operate as usual, the mine will be closed in 10 to 14 years due to the exterpation of resources. Concerns were brought to light by the many civilians that live along the shores of the Ok Tedi and Fly Rivers. One concern is the the rivers are becoming filled with rocks, sand and mud and that much of it washes ashore and kills many of the utilized forest plants and gardens.

The Ok Tedi River must be dredged in order to prevent the river from filling with sediments.

Another problem that has a more severe effect is that of the chemicals that are being emptied into the rivers. This pollution also kills many of the plants that the native fish species depend upon which in turn decreases the fish populations that the civilian people use as food