Title: Environmental negotiations in the Ok Tedi Mine in Papua New Guinea.

POPLINE Document Number: 075922

Author(s):

Pintz W

Source citation:

In: Multinational corporations, environment, and the Third World. Business matters, edited by Charles S. Pearson. Durham, North Carolina, Duke University Press, 1987. :35-63. (World Resources Institute Book)

Abstract:

This paper discusses the reconciliation of differences between investors and government over the environmental impact of the OK Tedi mine established in 1984 in Papua New Guinea. The successful negotiation allowed conflicting attitudes and interests to be resolved outside of costly legal proceedings, and suggest the potential application to similar projects in other developing nations (less developed countries [LDC]) where environmental regulation is of concern. The paper describes the legal and institutional framework, the OK Tedi project, offers a technical description, discusses the relationship of environment to other negotiating issues, and ponders the contractual understandings and implementation of environmental negotiations. Without suggesting whether the OK Tedi experience may be generalized to apply elsewhere, the paper lists lessons learned and considers some imperatives of environmental relations, the LDC environmental knowledge base, equity credit, and the role of government in such issues and projects.

Keywords:

Case Studies
Papua New Guinea
Summary Report
Environmental Pollution
Administrative Personnel
Decision Making
Attitude
Government
Natural Resources
Studies
Research Methodology
Developing Countries
Oceania
Environmental Degradation
Environment
Organization and Administration
Behavior
Psychological Factors
Political Factors