“It’s not rainwater that increases the water level of the tailings dam but wastes from the mine,” Mr Tovosia said.
“This means the dam was filled with toxic waste from the gold production,” he added.
St. Barbara Mining, which operated the Gold Ridge mine, recently announced plans to de-water the tailings dam, due to the increase in water level caused by recent heavy rain.
The process would have seen water from the tailings dam released into the nearby Tina river.
But Mr Tovosia said the plan was put on halt after his ministry refused to issue the company a de-watering licence until the water is tested.
He said tests revealed the tailings dam was filled by mining wastes and not just rain water.
“The company’s di-watering licence is still with the Director of Environment. We will not issue them the licence until they satisfy all requirements.
“The government will not back down on the company, it is taking tougher stands on St. Barbara Mining Company to fix its waste water recycling and treatment plant,” Mr Tovosia said.
He said people living downstream the Metapona River are at great risk if the tailings were released into the river untreated.
No comments:
Post a Comment