Investigation finds Rio Tinto legacy Bougainville mine poses life-threatening risks

Bougainville Copper

06/12/2024 03:23

MELBOURNE, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Rio Tinto's  RIO.AX  legacy
Bougainville mine poses imminent life-threatening risks to
locals, a report showed on Friday, prompting communities to call
for the global miner to take action. 
    Community and human rights groups have been pushing Rio
Tinto to review issues around land, water and health arising
from the Panguna copper mine that the global miner ran for
nearly 20 years until civil war broke out in 1989. 
    Rio Tinto, which has not committed to compensation, agreed
to fund a two-year investigation by environmental firm Tetra
Tech Coffey, which found serious issues persist as a result of
the mine.
    The findings, released in a report on Friday, included
"imminent, life-threatening risks posed by the collapsing mine
pit, levees and infrastructure," as well as ongoing
contamination of the Jaba-Kawerong river. 
    Rio Tinto recognises the gravity of the impacts and accepts
the findings of the investigation, Chief Executive, Australia,
Kellie Parker said on Friday.
    "We remain committed to working closely with stakeholders to
ensure that the legacy of the Panguna mine is addressed in a
fair and equitable manner for the benefit of impacted
communities," she said in a statement.
    The report follows a separate class action in Papua New
Guinea's capital Port Moresby over damage from the mine,
demanding billions of dollars in compensation. It has the
support of more than 5,000 local community members as calls for
miners to make reparations for environmental damage grow.
    BHP  BHP.AX  last month agreed to a 170 billion reais
($29.85 billion) compensation deal with the Brazilian
government, Vale  VALE3.SA  and Samarco for the Mariana dam
collapse in 2015, one of Brazil's worst environmental disasters.
    Among other issues, Tetra Tech Coffey found mine-related
flooding has impacted food gardens, access to drinking water,
essential services and safety around river crossings. It also
said toxic chemicals have been stored in some locations and
found in certain areas.
     The report made 24 recommendations for what impacts need to
be addressed or mitigated and outlined areas for further
investigation to better understand risks.
    Rio said that it was already acting to address issues around
ageing infrastructure with Bougainville Copper  BOC.AX  and the
government for works on four sites that pose severe and imminent
risks to nearby communities. 

 (Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Saad Sayeed)
 ((melanie.burton@thomsonreuters.com Twitter: @MelanieMetals;
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melanie.burton.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))