Key points
- The EIS acceptance confirms the document meets the submission requirements of PNG’s Environment Act 2000.
- The next step in the permitting process is a public hearing program followed by review and public consultation over the coming months.
- Nautilus president and CEO Stephen Rogers says the EIS took over two years of work and involved scientists, marine biologists and oceanographers from around the world.
- Nautilus will launch its CARES website on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, providing the full EIS report, background information and FAQs.
GOVERNMENT
The Papua New Guinea government has accepted Nautilus Minerals Inc.’s Solwara 1 project environmental impact statement (EIS) for review. Acceptance of the EIS confirms that the document complies with the submission requirements of the Environment Act 2000. The next steps in the environmental permitting process for the world’s first seafloor copper-gold mining project begin with a public hearing program.
“The submission and acceptance for review of the EIS is the result of over two years of hard work. It is also a significant step forward for deep-sea science which we are very proud of,” says Stephen Rogers, Nautilus president and chief executive officer. “We brought together leading scientists, marine biologists and oceanographers from around the world to develop the EIS. By implementing the recommended mitigation strategies, the EIS shows that we can develop Solwara 1 with minimal impact to the community and environment.”
PNG has a well-established environmental permitting process for mineral projects. Review and public consultation of the environmental assessment will now progress over the coming months. During this time, as part of the permitting process, Nautilus will continue to conduct community outreach and consultation activities as it has done for the last two years.
To enhance transparency, and provide access to information, Nautilus will launch the CARES (“community accountable, responsible environmentally and safe”) website Monday, Nov. 10, 2008. The website will provide information on the EIS, including the full EIS report, background information and commonly asked questions and answers. Please visit the company’s website and follow the link to the CARES website.
