By Reinhard Minong

Copyright postcourier

The campaign against seabed mining in New Ireland Province by the Solwara Worriers has entered a decisive phase, as the Provincial Seabed Mining Stakeholders’ Consultation Report was formally presented recently.

The presentation was done in New Ireland on 5th September 2025 in Kavieng and 19th September in Namatanai, where the consultation report officially handed over to stakeholders drawn from government agencies, local-level governments, churches, NGOs, the private sector, media, and law and order agencies as well as the local communities

The report, follows a three-day consultation program conducted across four locations; Kavieng, Kono, Danu and Namatanai between 4 and 11 July 2025.

More than 275 people took part, representing local communities, churches, NGOs, youths, public servants and company representatives.

Present were attendees who represented a broad cross-section of society local-level governments, churches and faith-based organisations, community chiefs, youths, NGOs, and even company representatives from Sustainable Mining Solutions.

Invitations were also extended to provincial and district public servants, including the offices of the Kavieng and Namatanai MPs, but no officials attended.

The consultation program included:

History of seabed mining and a 15-year project timeline, facilitated by Mesulam and Momori.

National policy and legal landscape, examining gaps, legality of Provincial Executive Council (PEC) decisions, FPIC, and possible legal actions.

Open discussions with stakeholders including churches, NGOs, public servants, youths, and community leaders.

Participants were also shown video clips of speeches from Prime Minister James Marape, who has maintained a 10-year moratorium on seabed mining since 2019, and Acting Governor Walter Schnaubelt, who supports the project, underlining starkly different positions between national and provincial leadership.

During the consultation, more than 99 per cent of participants oppose seabed mining, condemning the PEC’s decision to support the project.

They argued the decision was made without proper consultation, does not reflect the will of New Irelanders, and was bulldozed by an acting governor without a clear mandate.

Company representative Mr Paul Lahari from Sustainable Mining Solutions confirmed during the consultations that:

· Mining Licence ML 154 (issued in 2011) remains active,

· More than 20 testing and sampling operations have taken place over 15 years,

· Full-scale operations are planned for 2027, and

· No formal government order has been issued to halt seabed mining.

· The company argued volcanic plumes in the Bismarck Sea have caused greater turbidity than its test operations.

However, participants strongly rejected this, pointing to research gaps and warning that the deep ocean floor remains poorly understood.

Delegates cited a 2021 study revealing worm-like organisms feeding on hydrothermal vents, stressing that unique deep-sea ecosystems could be permanently destroyed.

They said there is no precedent guaranteeing seabed mining can be done safely, and with no regulatory framework in PNG, the risks are too high.

The failed Solwara 1 project was repeatedly referenced as a cautionary tale. That project collapsed in 2019, leaving PNG with more than K375 million in debt and no development benefits.

The consultation found a major information gap in communities and schools about seabed mining. Participants demanded more education, awareness visits, and stronger public campaigns.

They also urged the government to pursue sustainable alternatives instead of seabed mining:

· Agriculture – revitalising copra and cocoa industries and returning run-down plantations to genuine landowners.

· Fisheries – safeguarding an industry critical to coastal livelihoods and the national budget.

· Eco-tourism – promoting New Ireland’s cultural heritage and coastal scenery, including events like the Shark Calling Festival.

· Mining royalties – ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of Lihir and Simberi royalties for provincial development.

The report also recommended for:

· A New Ireland regional seat by-election,

· Transparency in project negotiations,

· Cancellation of all seabed mining licences,

· Legal action to halt operations, and

· Return of plantations to genuine landowners.

Mesulam confirmed that the report has already been delivered to the Governor’s Office and district and LLG offices across New Ireland, and the fight now shifts to the national level, where they will press for stronger legal safeguards and a permanent ban.

He said that a media conference will be done in Port Moresby and a national statement must be released.

He also said that the consultation reports will be presented to the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister for Mining, Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs, CEPA, MRA, CSOs, and international partners including the United Nations.