My name is maria Mete, I am from Palengkwa, near Watut River. We do alluvial mining near the Watut River. Not only men do the alluvial mining, we women also work to help our families. Before, the colour of the river was normal brown, but now since 2006 you can see that the river has a lot of mud in it. The gold that we get from the river is less than what we used to.
Q: What were the other uses of the water before?
M: We did alluvial mining, caught fish, and we even drank the water and bathed and did dishes in the Watut River.
Q: After the mining companies came, are you still using the river as you used to?
M: No, we stopped using it because many of us are badly affected by the river. Before when I did alluvial mining, I didn’t feel this itchiness on my legs.
Q; Are there any infections or signs that you get from the river after the mining company started operating?
M: Yeah, After the mining started in 2006, and 2007, I feel my legs itching every time I step out of the river. The itching got worse and black stuff grew on my legs and I know that chemicals were in the river that caused this.
Q: We know that you live along the river and what are your other sources of income you get to sustain your family?
M: Yes, mostly we do alluvial mining to support our family. Before the mining companies started we used to get 8 grams to 9 grams and this is 200 Kina to 300 Kina in one day. But now it is between 0.8grams down to 0.3, 0.2 or 0.1 grams per day and that is 10Kina to 12Kina per day, which is a big loss compared to before.
Q: So what do you feel about the mining companies today? Have they helped you with some projects, like the supply of safe drinking water since you depend on the watut river a lot?
M: Nothing. The company put it in the media that they helped the local people with a clean water supply, hospitals, schools, but all that is published is all false.
Q: Are you happy with the company yourself?
M: I don’t like this company. They are just thieves, they came here to rob us and destroy us.
Q: Are there any food and cash crops that you plant along the river?
M: Yes. Along the river is the only place that we can cultivate and grow our food, but now we cannot, there is a lot of soil and mud that destroys our gardens, so when we plant food they dry out. (banana sugar cane..)
Q: Has the company done any awareness or done anything when these happened?
M: Nothing. Before they operated there was no proper awareness telling us that we might loose alluvial mining and our gardens so we should move out to the mountains to do our gardening. Nothing. But now after the formation of the Watut River Union they are rushing into signing agreements with the people.
Q: Were there enough fish in the river before?
M: There was a lot of fish in the river before but nowadays you would hardly see them. Sometimes you would see dead fish floating near the river banks.
Q: Did you collect some of the dead fish samples?
M: Yes we did.
Q: What ar eyour thoughts about the impacts the mining company has in regards to diseases like HIV/AIDS?
M: What do you mean?
Q: I mean would it easily have spread, when there is a lot of cars and people moving?
M: Yes that’s true andn these diseases could easily spread. Our young girls even the mothers can sell themselves to the company’s employees to earn money. We will badly be affected if the employees have these diseases like HIV and AIDS.
Q: With these in mind, what are your thoughts?
M; I think if the company cannot help the local landowners, but instead treat us like animals, than it shouldn’t be operating here.
Q; How do you think would survive in 10 years time?
M: There is no hope for us now, since the river is our only lifeline. The company does not listen to our village councillor and leaders plea. Our only hope now is to support the Union to fight for our rights.
