Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) has surpassed its annual sediment dredging and its rehabilitation target for 2024 at its Bige Operations.
Last year, 10.75 million Cubic Meters (Mm3) of river sediments was dredged, surpassing the target of 10 Mm3, while 35.21 Hectares (ha) of sand stockpile was rehabilitated, exceeding the target of 30 ha.
The Bige Operations Team has consistently met and exceeded its annual sediment dredging and rehabilitation target consecutively over the last 5 years.
This achievement highlights OTML’s ongoing dedication to managing the sediment loads in the Ok Tedi and Fly River systems, preventing adverse environmental and social impacts.
Manager Bige Operations, Naimen Kepan, emphasized the importance of meeting these targets for OTML, highlighting their role in maintaining the company's social license to operate. Achieving these goals also helps minimize the impact of riverine sediments on the environment and supports local communities.
He further explained that it is a key component of responsible mining and aligns with the Ok Tedi Environment Management Act (OTEMA) guidelines and requirements.
“Reaching our rehabilitation targets brings us closer to restoring the East Bank stockpile in accordance with OTML’s Mine Area Rehabilitation Plan (MARP) and Closure Plan, ultimately ensuring a sustainable environment for the local community after mine closure,” said Mr. Kepan.
Located about 106 kilometres from the Ok Tedi Mine, the dredging operation at Bige, removes about 85 percent of sediment load passing the dredge slot every year to prevent it from traveling further downstream. The dredged materials are placed in engineered stockpiles on the East and West Banks of the Ok Tedi River and rehabilitated with vegetation cover.
OTML has dredged approximately 438 million tonnes of sand from the river since 1998 at a cost of USD$60 million per annum. This operation has significantly contributed to reducing riverbed aggradation and the associated dieback.
This achievement reaffirms OTML’s commitment to sustainable growth, economic prosperity, and community well-being supported by environmental sustainability, community development and operational excellence.
