A FARMING association has raised concerns on the devastating impact of alluvial mining activities on land, especially being enhanced by climate change effect.
Farmers and Settlers Association president Wilson Thompson spoke from his observation on the dual destruction in Morobe and the lack of action by relevant authorities.
Thompson specifically pointed out non-environmental friendly practices such as the excessive use of high-pressure water.
He said without proper control, this action had washed away arable land, sandbanks and gravel, affecting food security and the livelihoods of local people.
“Alluvial mining activities using machines and water pumps has been causing serious damage to the land, transport and public utilities in mining areas of Morobe,” he said.
“Electricity and telecommunications towers have been washed out, affecting these services in the area, resulting in additional cost for maintenance.
“When miners use high-pressure water hoses to wash soil and gravel in search of gold, it strips away the top layer of the ground; also the
use of bulldozers and graders to divert the gravel and soil or river course.”
Thompson said this made the land uneven, full of holes, and covered in loose sand and stones; the constant rain and strong flow of water then washed soil into nearby rivers and streams.
He said the Bulolo-Wau-Menyamya Highway follows the Markham, Gabensis, Snake, Watut and Bulolo rivers that starts in Wau and Kaindi (areas known for mining activities).
“Often the flooding, changing river course and sedimentation cuts off bridges and parts of the roads; and despite maintenance since 2018, the road has not reached Bulolo where it’s becoming difficult,” he said.
“Morobe has Hidden Valley Mine and Niumimco and hundreds of alluvial mining leases along and over the various rivers.”
Thompson said despite these mining, environment and climate issues, agency such as Department of Mining, Mineral Resources Authority (MRA), Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (Cepa) and Office of Climate Change had no office in Morobe that interface with the stakeholders and deal with regulatory matters.
“Even the mining memorandum of agreement signed by MRA has provisions for environmental monitoring but when do they start to monitor the agreement,” he said.
“While the Department of Works is struggling with the roads and bridges, MRA and Cepa are missing and so the stakeholders are often lost.
“All the blame for the poor roads, fallen power and communication towers and flooding is put on the district development authority and provincial government.”
Thompson said the Government must address this, through MRA and Cepa.
