2005 Ok Tedi CMCA village survey for the Mineral Policy Institute

-

Western Province

These are the findings from one preliminary and one main patrol along the Fly and Ok Tedi Rivers, surveying villagers on their level of understanding Ok Tedi Mining Ltd.’s (OTML) Community Mine Continuation Agreements (CMCAs). These agreements were signed by village representatives in 2000 as a means of binding local communities to the ongoing operation of the mine and to limit their abilities to pursue compensation for damages from OTML, and the mine’s obligation to pay them damages. A few people signed these for the majority of the villages circumstances. The CMCA’s form the basis of the Ok Tedi Ninth Supplemental Agreement, the PNG legislation allowing BHP to exit the mining operation with minimal compensatory responsibility.