Govt and mines urged to look at various options

By HAIVETA KIVIA

A Mechanical engineer in Lae is urging the National Government and mining companies to look at other options when it comes to disposing of mining wastes.
Thompson Benguma, a mechanical engineer, said there was one good alternative the Government and mining companies could adopt and safely dispose of their waste, instead of heavily relying on tailing dams, deep sea tailings disposal and using river systems.
Mr Benguma, who was commissioned by the Startech Environmental Corporation based in Bristol, Connecticut, USA, is asking the Government and mining companies to seriously look into the plasma waste converter technology promoted by a US based company.
He said the technology can be benefit the country in preventing environmental damage, help rebuild the deteriorating roads and give the country an alternative fuel source.
“This technology can also save money for the country and companies,” he said.
Mr Benguma said the plasma waste converter is a steel vessel where the waste, whether it is mining or any waste, is pumped in and is broken down using a process called molecular disassociation, because of an intense field of energy at 30,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
“The converter breaks down the molecule bonding of the waste and reforms it again into two by-products. These are synthesis gas, which is rich in carbon and hydrogen, and silicates which are the heavier by-product material,” he said.
Mr Benguma said the hydrogen can be extracted and used as an alternative fuel source by the mining companies and the country in motor vehicles, generators and machineries.
He said the silicates could be crushed and used in building or rebuilding roads in PNG. The silicate is the same kind of material to the lava spewed out by volcanoes.
Mr Benguma said the Government and the Ramu nickel mine should look seriously at this method instead of pumping tailings into the Basamuk Bay. He refuted the statement made by Milne Bay Governor John Crittin that deep sea tailing disposal was safe.
“Mr Crittin can’t compare Misima to Ramu nickel,” he said.
Mr Benguma said Misima was a small scale operation and was already closed but some of its effects were being felt by the islanders, fish were mysteriously dying on the beaches of Misima and he asked the Governor to investigate.

Post Courier, June 18, 2010