Introduction
Gold is a very valuable metal that has many uses around the world from being the foundation of the world’s economy to jewellery, electronics such as mobile phones, calculators, computers and televisions as well as dentistry and other medical techniques (The Many Uses of Gold 2005-2013).
Gold has been used in the economy for over 6000 years (Neale. T 2005). The early transactions were done using pieces of gold. Then there was the ‘gold standard’, where a country maintained a stockpile of gold to back every dollar in circulation. This meant any person could present paper currency to the government and demand in exchange an equal values of gold, this is no longer used in any nation due to its cumbersome. Now gold is used as a financial backing for currency (The Many Uses of Gold 2005-2013).
Copper is essential in everyday life. It is used universally in the home for water pipes, locks, electrical wiring and electronics. Copper has excellent thermal and electrical conductive properties, as well as being strong and ductile it is hygienic, has a resistance to corrosion and is extremely easy to alloy (Copper – a vital element 2013). It is due to these properties that copper is such a popular metal that is widely used in the infrastructure, electrical, mechanical and construction sectors of society.
Gold and copper are both extracted from the earth’s core through mining techniques. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is ranked as the 11th gold producer in the world (Gold Mining in Papua New Guinea- Overview 2013). Since mining in PNG began in 1970 it is approximated that 1100t of gold has been extracted.
Due to the high demand of these precious metals, many overseas mining companies have established many mining operation in PNG (Gold Mining in Papua New Guinea- Overview 2013). And in doing so, has created a mixture of controversial opinions. Major concerns continue to be raised as to the environmental issues, fairness of parties, sustainability, and social justice that gold/copper mining will have on PNG and there traditional rights, economy and there use of land.
Viewpoint from a native PNG Spokesperson
Gold and copper mining has done nothing but destroy our beautiful land, causing irreversible damage to our ecosystems. Our farming land has been limited from some of the most fertile areas. All the mines in PNG are operated by overseas corporations like Barrick Gold Corporation, Harmony, BHP Billiton, Bougainville Copper Limited, Allied Gold and Newcrest Mining (Macintyre. M 2004). These companies are stubborn and choose not to understand our way of life and they have very little consideration for the native flora and fauna.
I speak on behalf of the Ipili tribe of Porger, for the all the local villagers are dependent on the ecological health of the whole region, including the Gulf, as it supports an extensive tuna fishery. Due to the irresponsible mining practice of dumping toxic mine tailings directly into the 800km river system that flows from the mountain where these people live to the gulf, I cannot begin to imagine the amount of environmental damage being done (StraightGoodsNews 2010). Heavy metals contaminates like copper, zinc, cadmium and lead have just been dumped into our rivers over the years. We now have the threat of Acid Rock Drainage entering our river systems, which disrupts pH levels in our water causing death of to many of our native ecosystems including marine life (Swirk Interactive Schooling 2013).
The amount of ecosystems that are effected are distressful. But not only did this tribe have to endure this contamination, they also suffered human rights abuses as a result of violence. This includes beatings, raping’s and even killings from the mines security (StraightGoodsNews 2010). This poor tribe opened there door to their community and this company has completely abused their power and rights.
I understanding the importance of mining for the economy but it has gone too far, and with talk of re-mining certain mines is just lazy and terrible for the environment. We are proud people who don’t want to see our native stunning flora and fauna destroyed. We have no voice or backing from the government to stop the destruction of our land. Over abuse in mining is an unsustainable - socially, economically and environmentally.
Viewpoint from a Mining Industry Spokesperson
As a spokesperson for the mining industry, I’m enthusiastic by the prospect of rubbing shoulders and working with the government, the miners and the land-owners to optimise gold mining in Papa New Guinea. We are committed to making a positive contribution to sustainable development.
The mining industry has extensive social and economic benefits for PNG. We are dedicated to responsibly producing gold that contributes to the economic and social development of local communities whilst providing important national revenue for PNG (Government 2004). We are also providing infrastructure and employment opportunities to both the men and women of Papua New Guinea that would not have been possible without the mining of Gold and Copper. With the community policies, we ensure that the people of the communities that are disturbed by mining are, to the best of our ability, understood and the culture is preserved (Newlands 2013).
As a mining company, I am well aware of the concerns that regard the environmental impacts of the land as well as the sustainability. I can assure you, that as a company, we will work strictly with the Department of Environment Conservation (DEC) to guarantee that the environmental impact assessments are compliant and we will not commence any mining on that site without the appropriate approvals from the DEC as well as the government.
Here I would like to point out that all our projects, whether it be infrastructure or operation projects, they are always in the best interests of the native people and land, where other industries such as palm oil production or timber production are destroying the beautiful rainforest and other ecosystems with much less argument. In Papa New Guinea palm oil production is the largest agricultural export (Jones P 2012). As you many have heard palm oil plantations are one of the leading causes of rainforest destruction not only in PNG but around the world (Problem with Palm Oil Factsheet 2011).
As a devoted company, we are well aware that our mining of Gold is a debated issue amongst the native people of Papua New Guinea, I can assure you that all operations are within the restrictions set by the Government as well as the Department of Environment Conservation.

Viewpoint from a Politician from PNG
I am extremely optimistic for the future of mining in our great country. Mining has been, and still is, Papua New Guinea’s most valuable export and a key component of our economic development and sustainability (Government 2004). Mining has brought offshore investment to your loved country and has created employment opportunities too countless men and women. Our mining commodities has be able to build the PNG we now all live in. Without the foreign investors, the infrastructure couldn’t have been made possible (Government 2004). These investors have provided PNG with the resources and technology that now surrounds us. The support of these investors are vital to social remedies for the ability to create better health care, free education and crime reduction (medianiuginiEMTV12 2012).
It is challenge for the national government to manage and find a balance between something that is currently good and something that would be an improvement to the current status quo. I will give comfort to the industry that the changes to the mineral policy and the mining legislations are intended to establish a good foundation for growth and prosperity for Papa New Guinea in the years to come (medianiuginiEMTV12 2012).
By committing to the mining future, I am guaranteeing it will provide the best opportunities for a better future for my great people of Papua New Guinea. I understand how this is a debatable issue and that some of my people will not support mining as it is a sensitive issue to them, and in the past there has been some mistreatment of human rights and environmental abuse.
Under my government I can assure that no mining company will mistreat our precious land or people. Multiple Environmental Impact Assessments have been extensively prepared to preserve our environment. These assessments are regularly reviewed and the mining companies are monitored, and providing these companies are operating within their rights and following all procedures correctly, they are more than welcome here.
Conclusion
Knowing that fact that the demand of Gold and Copper will continue to increase as the insatiable need for these resources increases, the key focus for the Government should be to adapt a more sustainable approach to mining so that there is minimal damage to the environment.
It is safe to say that the people of the Ipili Tribe have suffered due to the mining industries and their inexcusable practices. With closer monitoring and heavier fines of these ill practices will ensure that all mining sites continue to act within the Environmental Impact Assessments, which will keep all practices environmentally safe and sustainable.
It is clear that that government will keep welcoming that foreign trade which has, and will continue, to improve their economy. It is up to the Government to ensure that all mining companies are limited to where they can mine, without this the mining industry would have as many mining sites as possible. It is noteworthy to mention that most mining companies have taken the incentive for environmental control procedures to build better futures for the native Papua New Guinean people.
Future mine developments will have to take a more integrated approach in addressing the social and environmental impact of mining in PNG.

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