11/05/2026
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has reaffirmed that the provincial government still opposes the proposed Frieda River copper and gold project due to serious environmental concerns that could threaten the Sepik River and surrounding communities.
Governor Bird said the government’s position has not changed since concerns were first raised during the Environmental Impact Survey reviewed by the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) in 2022.
According to Bird, one of the biggest concerns is the proposed tailings dam, which would store mine waste. He warned that there is a risk of a catastrophic dam failure that could severely affect communities living along the Sepik River system.
The East Sepik Provincial Government carried out a detailed consultation and review process involving affected communities, local leaders, and independent experts before making its decision. The review process took more than a year and focused on identifying possible environmental and social impacts linked to the mining project.
Governor Bird said after hearing the findings, many local-level government presidents strongly supported the province’s decision to reject the project. Leaders from Gawi, Tunap, Hunstein, Ambunti, Karawari, Yuat, Keram, Angoram, and Marienberg all contributed during provincial assembly discussions, along with Wewak MP Stanley Muts Samban.
Bird described the consultation as one of the most careful and detailed reviews ever conducted by a provincial government in Papua New Guinea on a project of this scale.
Meanwhile, the National Government continues to push for the Frieda River project, with Prime Minister James Marape previously stating that the mine could create employment opportunities and boost Papua New Guinea’s export earnings. A government task force has already been established to help fast-track approvals and coordination for the project.
However, opposition from communities across the Sepik region continues to grow under the “Save the Sepik” campaign. Many residents living along the Sepik River have shared videos online calling for the project to be stopped, saying the river remains their main source of food, water, transport, and livelihood.
More than 400,000 people are believed to depend on the Sepik River system.
