Transcript
JOHNSON TUKE: To be honest, I don't have the documents at this point in time. It must be kept down at the Mineral Resource Authority. That is the place where they can have access to it, and I believe it is a public document, in my opinion. Nautilus have done an exclusive programme in regards to the environment impact some time ago.
JOHNNY BLADES: It seems like the community in the region around the Bismarck Sea are not happy about this project. They've been concerned for some time. As a government, are you listening to that?
JT: Of course this government is responsible. The environment context of it has to be taken on board, and proper due diligence has been conducted already...I suppose.
JB: But the government has a 15 percent stake in the project. That's a real gamble, isn't it? There's no guarantee this project's going to get up and running.
JT: You could say that, but that is an undertaking by the government. Government, by having a stake, is well and truly prepared to propose the development.
JB: What if it causes significant damage to the marine environment which is very important to your people obviously.
JT: Well, definitely that is the case. But, you know, I'm really not a marine biologist who has got a preview for you but to the layman understanding, and from what I learnt over the years with Nautilus, Nautilus has given us a feasibility study. That is the reason why the license was granted. And from what I know, there is a certain dark area (in the seabed to be mined) where it is out of photosynthesis. They say there is no life beyond that point.
JB: You said before that the government is committed to the project. The developer, Nautilus, they are struggling for funding for this project, so there is a possibility that it may not go ahead.
JT: No, no, just go ahead. I think you can pre-empt it. They are very determined to develop this project. Then they can obviously look for money here and there, but I think you're quite correct in that. I don't know if their financial system is sound, because in one of their presentations that I attended a month ago they said they have the money, they have the capital. Actually I tested one of their machines. In terms of their financial capability, I may not undermine them, but it's going forward. Government have bought into it already, on a 15 percent stake.
