Page 8 - IB MAR 2017

Cover Story
River poison ing alert

Heavy metals concerns in proposed Sigatoka River mine

by Samisoni Pareti
MINING of the Sigatoka River on the
southern coast of Fiji’s main island poses
a real risk of severe marine life poisoning
with flow-on effects on people who feed
on such fish, mussels and crustaceans.
The warning is highlighted in a report
by environmental consultants, Corerega
Environment Consultancy, which was
contracted by Fiji’s Department of Envi-
ronment to conduct the Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposed
mining of the Sigatoka River by Austra-
lian company Dome.
The report warned that “contaminants”
from mining could result in ‘severe poi-
soning.’
A copy obtained by this magazine said:
“The dredged materials wash out having a
lot of contaminants in them may go back
into the river during heavy downpour and
pollute the water and if taken up by living
organisms in the river will make them
severely poisonous.
“If such organisms are fish, crabs or
“kai” (mussels) etc. people consuming
them would become seriously ill. To
ensure impact of sediment wash out are
minimised, proper mitigation measures Top: A dredging
are to be put into place.” machine at the
Sigatoka river mouth.
Dome, however, is objecting to any Photo: Samisoni
talks about contaminant leakages or Pareti
river poisoning. Contacted via electronic Left: A map showing
the proposed mining
mail by this magazine, Dome’s chairman area.
Garry Lowder said there would not be Photo: Dome
any release of poisonous materials when Business. until we were ready to undertake the re-
his company proceeds with mining on “You can be assured that our proposed quired river remediation more rigorously
the river. mining in the Sigatoka River bed would and responsibly.
“The matters you raise are important
and Dome is as concerned as anyone NOT release any toxic contaminants, as “It is not unusual for misunderstand-
else to ensure that the environment is clearly identified in our EIA, which has ings to arise when mining projects are
been approved by the government. The
being contemplated,which is why Dome
properly protected and that our operations recent dredging in the river has nothing makes every effort to keep our stakehold-
provide maximum possible benefit to our to do with us, although we encouraged the ers informed and up to date. We welcome
Fijian stakeholders,” Lowder told Islands
authorities to hold off with that dredging the opportunity to add to that by providing
8 Islands Business, March 2017