1984 IMPACT
Since 1972, The Copper and Gold mine at Panguna, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea,
majority-owned by Rio Tinto has produced billion's of tones of mine waste tailings
that they release into the Jaba and Kawerong rivers.
Every day, arable land downstream from the mine is covered by polluted water,
resulting in contamination, erosion, land destruction, food shortages, and illness.
A group of concerned business men and dedicated citizens, including our friend
Mr. Carolus Ketsimur,( politician, journalist, businessman, jazz man,)approached me
to produce a series of eight works, in response to viewing the devastation.
These works were to be hung in the reception room at the recently established
Department of Environment and Conservation.
The functions of the department of Environment and Conservation includes:
Environmental impact assessment,
pollution control,
management of waste,
Conservation of flora and fauna,
biodiversity assessment and data management,
Hydrological investigation, data collection and analysis,
Education and awareness.
Initially I was excited, I love any excuse to travel by air.
The first part of the journey looking out of the helicopter, the environment was stunning.
The majority of the forests and jungle we traversed, from Buka to Kieta, looked in good health.
The ocean was clear, the Islands mesmerizing. However as we approached and travelled over
Loloho, Kieta and Panguna the land transformed into humming hives of urban activity.
Hovering over the open cut mine I was struck by the sheer size. It is a 4 km diameter
hole, with an estimated reserve of one billion tonnes of ore copper and twelve million
ounces of gold. Impressive!
However, as we travelled from the mine down the Jaba-Kawerong river, I felt like I
was traversing a gaping wound. Red, green, grey and unnatural blue tailings stretched almost
40km downstream to the coast, and on it's journey it affects 38 villages with an estimated
population of 14,000 people.
Looking at the psychedelic moon-scape I wondered how anyone managed to access clean
water? Immediately understood the health impacts: skin diseases, diarrhea, respiratory problems
and pregnancy complications. Couldn't see how fish survives, vegetation grew or people
flourished?
It was obvious that this 'sludge' impacted the health, economy, social and cultural
rights of these communities.
Flying at approximately 400 - 500 ft, with the helicopter door wide open, I could
see a lot of details. I noted: land destruction, build up of tailings, flooding, lack of clean
water, landslides, collapsing levies, copper contamination, treacherous river crossings,
destroyed gardens and ailing forests.
My 8 paintings are my visual record from this single sighting. They are a response
to the violation of human rights and unbelievable, environmental damage.
Oil on canvas 24inches x 24 inches
