Plastic-Free starts with me – this was the bold theme adopted by Ok Tedi Mining Limited has it joined the global community in commemorating World Environment Day (WED) on June 05th .
Ok Tedi has adopted the slogan “Plastic-Free Starts With Me!” alignment with this year’s global theme “Ending Plastic Pollution”, a call to action to reduce the environmental threat of plastic waste.
The Environment Department organises activities annually at Ok Tedi operational sites to mark WED targeting behaviour change among employees, business partners and the community.
Manager Environment Erizo Kepe said in line with this year’s global theme and Ok Tedi’s slogan, activities and messaging focus on minimising plastic waste using the 5R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Recycle, and Rethink.
“We want to promote reducing the use of plastic, reusing plastic in alternative ways, refuse to use single use plastics, recycle plastic products, and rethink using plastic by making informed decisions.”
“This initiative reaffirms our commitment to sustainable environmental practices through community engagement. We believe that change begins with shared responsibility and individual actions,” said Ms Kepe.
Activities organised to mark WED will include:
- General Clean-A-Thon/Tree Planting in work sites and communities;
- Environmental Performance Awards for departments or teams demonstrating outstanding or improved environmental performance in 2024.
- General Workplace Competition on Plastic Waste Audit - departments conduct an audit to assess and reduce their single-use plastic consumption;
- Trash Monster Challenge for Grade 7 and 8 students to design and build a “trash monster” using only waste, recycled, or repurposed plastics; and
- Scientific Research & Write-Up for Grade 11 and 12 students to submit a scientific report on one of two critical topics; Impacts of Microplastics on Human Health and Plastic Pyrolysis Plant and Its Benefits.
Ok Tedi has an ongoing commitment to improving environmental performance across all aspects of the company’s operations.
The company undertakes a comprehensive environmental monitoring program annually that is governed by the Ok Tedi Agreement (CMCA Agreement) as well as quarterly reporting against the Ok Tedi Environmental Management Act (OTEMA) 102 license conditions.
Ok Tedi spends over K200 million annually on environmental mitigation programs, significantly reducing the impact of sedimentation in upper Fly River and stabilised downstream water quality.
The effectiveness of its environmental controls is measured by monitoring for compliance against six key environmental values along the 1,000km riverine system that stretches from the mine to the Fly River delta.
- Downstream drinking water quality.
- Availability of aquatic resources such as fish and edible aquatic flora to meet community requirements.
- Safe edibility of aquatic resources.
- Availability of resources such as dry land on which to establish gardens, hunt and gather firewood and meet community requirements.
- Safe use of land resources for crops and natural forest resources included in the normal dietary intake of the local community.
- Navigability of the main Ok Tedi and Fly River channels by commercial and village sea crafts.
Another major environmental mitigation activity is the Bige Dredging, Stockpile and Rehabilitation Operations which manages the sediment loads in the Ok Tedi and Fly River. Ok Tedi has dredged approximately 438 million tonnes of sand from the river since 1998 at a cost of USD$60 million (K240 million) per annum. This operation has significantly contributed to reducing riverbed aggradation and the associated dieback.
Other environmental sustainability initiatives include:
- Tyre Pyrolysis Plant
- Ok Tedi’s landfill dump operations
- Waste Oil Recycling & usage
- Plans for a plastic pyrolysis plant
With a mine life extension to 2050, Ok Tedi’s 2050 Growth Strategy includes several key undertakings, that address environmental sustainability. They include:
- Environmental Stewardship and Sustainable Growth Projects
- Engineered Waste Rock Dump (EWRD) 1 & 2
- Pyrite Concentrate (PCon) Pit 4 Construction
- Tailings Storage Facility (TSF)
- Copper Mark Certification
- Electric drive Haul Truck Re-fleeting
- Electrification and Energy Transition Strategy
Ok Tedi received the Gazettal Notice for the OTEMA from the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA). OTEMA enables application for Major Permit Amendment for the Engineered Waste Rock Dump (EWRD) and the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF).
“Under the OTEMA and Ok Tedi’s Environment Policy, the Company’s Vision is “Valuing and Respecting the Environment in Everything we do” and our goal is “Zero Significant Environmental Incidents”. It is expected that all Ok Tedi and business partners must implement policy, standard and legal requirements to ensure business is conducted in an environmentally safe, responsible, and sustainable manner while meeting our economic goal,” said Ms Kepe.
