BHP Shareholders for Social Responsibility
Gag Island, West Papua, Indonesia
Gag Island lies off the western tip of West Papua. It is surrounded by coral reefs and waters which have potential as tourist attractions. BHPB has an interest in mining nickel. The fear is that there is little option for tailings and polluted water disposal other than into the surrounding sea. We face a potential Ok Tedi or Bougainville.
In addition the forest cover on the island has protected status. Indonesian forests are under extreme pressure.
We have a rumour to the effect that BHPB have been lobbying to overturn this protected status.
When questioned at recent AGMs we have been told that Gag Island was not on the schedule for new mines.
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last updated 4/12/2007