A review of the risks presented by the Ramu Nickel project to the ecology of Astrolabe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

RamuNickel Report 2WebA review of risks presented by The Ramu Nickel Project to the ecology of Astrolabe Bay, Papua New GuineaMINERAL POLICY INSTITUTE 4 SOTPELA RIPOT – Pidgin Executive Summary 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – English 7 INTRODUCTION 9 The Ramu Nickel Cobalt Mine 9 Submarine Tailings Discharge (STD) – A Review 10 A History of Environmental Research at Astrolabe Bay 12 Study Rationale 17 Terms of Reference 18 CHAPTER 1: A review of risks presented by The Ramu Nickel Project to the ecology of Astrolabe Bay, Papua New Guinea 19 Summary of Findings 19 The Potential Impact of the STD Operation in Astrolabe Bay 20 The fate of tailings material 20 The Toxicity Of Tailings 23 Biological impacts 23 A summary of major deficiencies in the Environmental Plan 27 Oceanography 27 Marine Biology 28 Risks Associated with the NSR Environmental Plan 29 General Risks 29 Risks to shallow waters 30 Deep water impacts 31 CHAPTER 2: Natural Systems Research - An Analysis 32 ContentsCHAPTER 3: A Review of the Physical