Into the Unknown Regions

Confronted by mounting community opposition to big new mines in the Asian Pacific, the mining industry is promoting a relatively untested technology to keep toxic wastes out of sight and mind. STD (submarine tailings disposal) shifts the increasing burden of toxic mine-wastes from land to the Pacific Ocean floor. The practice started in Papua New Guinea, spread to Indonesia, and is now threatening the Philippines and islands of the South Pacific. Its chief proponents are Canadian, Australian, and British mining companies that would not be allowed to use the technology in their home countries. Farmers and fisherpeople have registered vocal protests against STD, but, so far, their voices have largely been ignored. This book describes and critiques the process, referring extensively to its dubious record and recent community experiences of its use.