Environmental management in small scale mining in PNG

Although small-scale mining has developed rapidly in Papua New Guinea (PNG), it is only recently that formal recording has been carried to gain insight on employment and production totals, and environmental difficulties. This paper examines the state of small-scale mining in PNG, with special emphasis on its environmental impacts. In recent years, the PNG Department of Mining has become a proactive source of educational activities and information gathering for small-scale mining, its effort directed at devising a comprehensive development plan for the sector. The result has been a tripartite program with active participation from a number of donor agencies and the private sector that promotes integrated rural development and takes into account the important economic and environmental aspects vital for effective poverty alleviation.