WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1358/98 by Lis JENSEN to the Commission. Lihir gold mine in Papua New Guinea
Date: 1998-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, JENSEN LIS
Subjects: EIB loan, Papua New Guinea, environmental protection, environmental standard, gold, marine pollution, metal pollution, mining operation, waste disposal

22.12.98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 402/117

(98/C 402/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1354/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Barley intervention

Can the Commission confirm whether there are common standards within the EC for putting barley into
intervention? If not does the Commission see a need for this given that disparities exist between Member States,
with some Member States requiring barley to be dried to 15 % humidity and others to 14 %?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(25 May 1998)

Yes, there are common standards for putting cereals into intervention, including barley. They are fixed by
Commission Regulation (EEC) 689/92 of 19 March 1992 fixing the procedure and conditions for the taking-over
of cereals by intervention agencies (1). As far as the moisture content is concerned, the regulation allows a
maximum of 14,5 %. However, the Council has asked the Commission over the last ten years to provide, by an
annual derogation, a maximum of 15 % for Member States requesting such a possibility.

(1) OJ L 74, 20.3.1992.

(98/C 402/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1358/98

by Lis Jensen (I-EDN) to the Commission

(7 May 1998)

Subject: Lihir gold mine in Papua New Guinea

In July 1996 the EIB announced an ECU 46 million loan package to the Lihir gold mine in Papua New Guinea. In
the 30 years of operation 104 million tonnes of ore reserves will be exploited, producing 341 million tonnes of
waste rock. The waste rock would be discharged into the nearby Louisiana harbour on the east coast of Lihir
Island. The mining company Rio Tinto use the open pit cyanide leaching process, which is generally known to be
highly polluting. During the mine(cid:146)s lifespan 89 million tonnes of toxic tailings would be produced. The tailings
will be treated, however the treatment water will also be discharged into a deep submarine outfall. Trace metals in
the treatment water would include copper, arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium and mercury.

The American Overseas Private Investment Corporation declined to provide a political risk insurance in 1995
because of the abovementioned environmental impacts. They do not adhere to US standards regarding waste
disposal.

1. Which environmental standards have been applied by the EIB when considering the Lihir gold project?

2.

Does the Lihir gold project adhere to the environmental standards of the EIB?

As the project is operating already, how does the EIB intend to monitor the environmental impacts, and

3.
which criteria does the EIB apply if doing so?

4. What is the EIB(cid:146)s policy and practice about integration of compliance with multilateral agreements into the
bankability criteria for project proposals?

5.
How did the EIB take into consideration the principles and practices declared in the UN Convention on the
Law of the Sea (date of entry into force 16 November 1994) with particular reference to part XII, Article 194.1.
and Part XII, Article 196.1. when it decided to support the Lihir gold mine project?