Photo: Youth from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea protest against Wafi-Golpu DSTP. Credit: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, 2023.

30 June 2026  

A breaking investigative research report released today by Jubilee Australia Research Centre and endorsed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea, Don’t poison our sea, our life and our future: Wafi-Golpu, ocean dumping and the rise of the people, identifies key environmental and human rights issues with the proposed Wafi-Golpu mine.

The Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture is driven by the project’s proponents, Australian companies Newcrest Mining Ltd and Harmony Gold (Australia) Pty Ltd. Newcrest was acquired by American mining company Newmont Corporation in 2023; Harmony Gold (Australia) Pty Ltd is likewise owned by the South African mining company Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd.

The developers’ plan to run a tailings waste pipeline 103 kilometres from the mine site to the sea; one of the strongest findings in the report reveals that the tailings waste pipeline will run directly through the streets of Lae city.

The report also notes that the companies plan to dump unknown billions of litres of filtrate into the ocean, which may involve unknown quantities of processed chemicals, into the sea at Lae’s Port. 

“This is not information that we have made up – it is all in the Environmental Impact Statement,” said Emily Price, Pacific Mining Program Director at Jubilee Australia Research Centre.  

 In a mind-boggling statistic, the report identifies that the project plans to dump a minimum of 360 million tonnes of mine tailings into the ocean over 28 years. This is equivalent to more than 35,600 Eiffel Towers, which if placed end-to-end, would stretch further than from Auckland to Beijing.

Further, expert oceanographic modelling and animation obtained by Jubilee Australia Research Centre for the report finds that the tailings will spread across the Huon Gulf, driven by currents and wind. 

While dumping tailings into the ocean is often described as ‘Deep Sea Tailings Placement’ or ‘DSTP’, for Wafi-Golpu, the tailings will be dumped at only approximately 200 metres deep. By contrast, endangered leatherback turtles in the region dive further than 1,000 metres, and the Markham Canyon, which lies more than 4km from the dump site, is more than 4,000 metres deep.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea has been leading advocacy against DSTP for the project for more than ten years. 

“In the synod, the highest decision making level of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in January 2026 we reaffirmed our commitment of our moral duty of care for God’s people and his creation. We strongly oppose the proposed deep sea-tailing placement (DSTP) by Wafi-Golpu mine because it will have severe negative impacts on the people, creation and the ecological system. Our advocacy on protection of creation and people remain strong. We remain committed to strengthen, empower and encourage affected communities for their wellbeing and survival.”

The research report comes on the back of a strong finding by Australia’s National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (AusNCP) in August 2025, following a complaint lodged on behalf of 2.596 people concerned about the project by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG, Jubilee Australia Research Centre, and the Center for Environmental Law and Community Rights.

The AusNCP Final Statement found the Australian proponent companies for Wafi-Golpu to be acting inconsistently with 5 of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and issued 28 recommendations. 

“Newmont’s own 2025 Sustainability Report minimises these AusNCP findings, stating that Newmont is working with Harmony and the Wafi-Golpu Joint Venture to review the findings and determine appropriate next steps in response to the recommendations. There has been no evidence that these recommendations will be implemented,” said Ms Price. 

“It is not appropriate for one of the largest gold mining companies in the world to ignore the findings issued by an OECD-mandated National Contact Point,’ said Ms Price. 

The Post Courier reported last week that the Wafi-Golpu copper and gold project is in the ‘final stages’ of locking down the Wafi Golpu Mine Development Contract – a deal that will trigger the Special Mining Lease and a $4.5 billion construction pathway for one of the planet’s largest copper and gold deposits. 

“We do not accept this irresponsible decision to rush up the project without considering the wellbeing of the people and their concerns. We appeal to the government to listen the concerns and voice of the local people on the impact the project will have on them and their environment before the mine comes into operation  Human life, wellbeing and survival are worth more than profit,” said Reverend Dr. Jack Urame. 

“It is our hope that in publishing this report, that the people of Lae and Morobe province, as well as international investors, are provided with more information so that they know the details of this project, and can make informed decisions that will ensure the environment and communities of this precious region are protected,” said Ms Price. 

“Given the amount of money the companies will make from this project, they should be able to afford to develop a much more responsible tailings management system. This would involve a system that doesn’t run a pipeline through Lae and dumping into the ocean,” said Ms Price. 

Download the full report here.