Review of Environmental Monitoring Program

The review of environmental monitoring program for Porgera Joint Venture serves to ensure that the Porgera gold mine in Papua New Guinea does not adversely impact on the downstream river system (Lagiap, Strickland and Fly Rivers). This project is developing a new methodology that will be useful for assessing environmental quality monitoring programs within a risk-based framework.

This review will provide three important outcomes:

• Allow the total program to be assessed in terms of its ability to report on the risk to the ecological health of the downstream river system from the Porgera mine,
• Identify important components that are currently not being monitored but should be, and equally will identify any components currently being monitored that are not adding value,
• Identify key knowledge gaps that need to be filled by additional targeted investigations.

This is the first time such a risk-based approach has been taken and should provide a model for other like reviews.