The Sepik Development Project (SDP) is a nation-building initiative for Papua New Guinea, delivering transformative infrastructure, renewable power and essential services to remote communities, while responsibly developing one of the world’s largest gold and copper deposits.
Utilising world-leading engineering and renewable-powered design, the project is committed to protecting the Sepik River ecosystem and ensuring the safety of its communities, says a Frieda River Limited spokesperson.
The Sepik Development Project is designed as one of the lowest-emission mining projects globally, supporting Papua New Guinea’s commitment to energy transition and sustainable resource development. The mine, which will be powered by a hydroelectric dam, will produce a surplus of 270MW of power which will link up with the national grid to supply industries and communities in the northern border frontier with clean, reliable energy, while also contributing to the reduction of PNG’s long-term carbon emissions.
The dam design, which continues to be strengthened and refined, incorporates world-leading tailings and waste management technology to effectively manage risks to the Sepik River and surrounding ecosystem. It makes allowances for high rainfall and seismic activity, including an embankment and spillway engineered to safely accommodate extreme water flows and withstand potential earthquake events.
Water quality will be managed using world-class waste and water-management techniques, including underwater tailings storage and the active treatment of open-pit water. The design is being built on one of PNG’s most extensive environmental data programs, supported by ten years of baseline studies and biodiversity surveys.
Modelling and scientific analysis show that impacts on downstream water quality and marine life are expected to be minimal, with significant protections in place to prevent impact to surrounding and downstream communities. The facility is designed to store water and permanently contain process tailings and mine waste rock. Ongoing water quality monitoring will also be undertaken at two checkpoints during wastewater discharge activities, to ensure the Sepik River and surrounding environment are protected.
“The safety of the Sepik and its communities is a key priority for the Project, which is underpinned by four guiding principles to be- technically appropriate, environmentally safe, socially responsible and financially profitable.
“The Sepik Development Project is committed to genuine, inclusive engagement with communities, ensuring local voices guide how the Project is planned and delivered. We believe this nation-building Project should deliver substantial economic and social benefits to Sepik communities and PNG more broadly and we are listening to and working with our stakeholders to ensure this happens,” the spokesperson said.
“We will continue to engage fully and openly with stakeholders via our annual community engagement programs in the Project’s infrastructure and riverine footprint corridor.
We welcome any questions, feedback and guidance from communities as we work to deliver a project that will bring significant benefits to landowners, local communities and PNG as a whole.”
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