# Mining waste disposal concerns in Papua New Guinea

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mining-waste-disposal-concerns-in-papua-new-guinea
> Updated: 2026-09-02T20:00:21.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Mining companies Newmont from the United States and Harmony Gold from South Africa are planning to extract copper and gold in the Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. Due to a lack of suitable inland storage sites, the companies intend to discharge approximately 360 million tons of mining waste into the sea via a 100-kilometer pipeline.

Reports indicate that this waste will contain heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, and mercury, raising concerns about a potential ecological disaster. While the Papua New Guinea government supports the project due to expected economic benefits, the plan poses significant environmental risks to the coastal ecosystem.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Mining industries drive long-term community investment in PNG and South Africa

Mining sectors in Papua New Guinea and South Africa are leveraging resource wealth to fund long-term community stability through education trusts and municipal infrastructure development.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mining-industries-drive-long-term-community-investment-in-png-and-south-africa

### 2026-08-18: Mining waste disposal plan in Papua New Guinea sparks environmental concerns

Newmont and Harmony Gold plan to discharge 360 million tons of mining waste into the sea near Papua New Guinea's Morobe Province, sparking environmental concerns over heavy metal contamination.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mining-waste-disposal-plan-in-papua-new-guinea-sparks-environmental-concerns

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Cite as: Mining waste disposal concerns in Papua New Guinea. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mining-waste-disposal-concerns-in-papua-new-guinea