Reversing the Flow of Tailings Disposal in Open-Pit Mining

The result of a decade of war and another of peace has lead to a split as to the future of mining on Bougainville.  On one side some would like to use the mine as an economic foundation for an independent Bougainville, the other wish for permanent closure as a rejection of industrializations perceived corrosive impact upon traditional social order.  The price of copper has risen four times the price of gold seven times since the mine closed and with increased interest by Chinese investment, and PNG diminishing need for the mine as a main source of financing is leading to the inevitable reopening of the mine under the establishing government of Bougainville, the Panguna Landowners Association, and Bougainville Copper Ltd.

Tailings disposal will remain as an issue and major source conflict.  Dumping into the river will not be accepted again, and seismic activity makes other containment systems difficult, leaving deep sea disposal which is unlikely because of central location of mine.  My design intention is for a three prong approach to limit the future environmental and social devastation of mining activities.

1. Repairing of the Jaba River valley and delta eco-regions into habitable life systems by reintroducing vegetative life after appropriate clean up measure has been taken.  Different splits in the river could be used as an opportunity to study the difference in letting natural rejuvenation take its course versus human restoration.
2. Design of tailing paste containment systems with respect to seismic and hydrological concerns, and examining the long term future integration of system back into the landscape.  Eventually the mine will run dry and other mining exploration around site has yielded positive results, so the existing mine site may become containment system itself.
3. Directly tying a percentage of mine profits to establishment a medical facility and education/research/tourism center “Communiversity” in direct visual connection with mine site.  Also establish funds for an island wide hydroelectric power, and clean water systems to most needed regions.  Creation of coconut oil plant for creation of fuel and an additional revenue stream.  These systems should be decentralized so that no one faction can monopolize the industry.