Nautilus Mineral's studies must be independent

Letter to the Editor
The National - Port Moresby, December 8th, 2008

I SUPPORT Sammy Toti of Matupit Island and other leaders of the Bismarck Sea (Dec 3) who have openly opposed Nautilus Mining Niugini and the Government to conduct deep sea mining (DSM).

Nautilus' country manager Mel Togolo claimed more than 20 scientific studies had been undertaken to study the impacts of DSM.

I would like to know if those studies were approved by PNG Government-sanctioned groups or by the company.

Were there any studies done by independent international NGOs such as Greenpeace, Mineral Policy Institute, Friends of the Earth, etc?

Were any studies done and funded by the United Nations Environmental Programme, South Pacific Regional Environmental Programme, South Pacific Commission and other regional organisations?

If all or some of these groups had carried out studies, were they made available to villagers in East Sepik, Madang, New Ireland, Manus, ENB, WNB and Bougainville?

We cannot have one or two seminars here and there and claimed that the people had been informed and educated.
There must be a concerted effort to stop DSM.

The environment and ecosystem are inter-connected and are at risk.

I call on Papua New Guineans to stand up for your land, sea, reefs and children's future.

Raymond Sekagu Castro
Wewak