Oktedi Copper Mine
The Ok Tedi Copper Mine
Ethical Issue
* Opening the mine without a waste storage. If they would have waited to open the mine for the waste storage to be completely finished they never would have started disposing trailing in the river.
* Environmental damage along the Ok Tedi. The environment that is affected is the river, the fish, the forest area along the river, the gardens, and hunting resources. The damage is already done to the environment. How long will it take to get back to a clean environment?
* The potential for civil disorder. The towns people generally support the mine but the animosity is caused by the damage it 's doing to the environment. Civil disorder could potentially be caused if they decide to close the mine because so many people will lose their jobs.
* Compensation and social development. A group of landowners petitioned the government to take action to prevent the discharge of the tailing into the river and to provide them with a compensation for their losses. The mine is giving back to the community with jobs, health benefits, schooling, training, etc.
ALTERNATIVES:
Based off all the facts and information that is present, there are four possible solutions to this problem:
1. Continue operating the mine and dredging in the lower Ok Tedi River.
2. Continue operating the mine, dredging and build a new storage facility for the future mine tailings.
3. Continue operating the mine and do nothing else.
4. Close down the mine immediately.
Alternative 1 If Ok Tedi Mining was to continue operating the mine and dredging in the lower Ok Tedi River, this would lower the sand levels which in return would decrease the chance of flooding. Dredging would still cause the sediment to move down stream. Since the sediment is still accumulating it is still affecting the forests and environment. Also, to mine and dread is going to potentially be an additional cost between $300-$400 (millions). This amount
Ethical Issue
* Opening the mine without a waste storage. If they would have waited to open the mine for the waste storage to be completely finished they never would have started disposing trailing in the river.
* Environmental damage along the Ok Tedi. The environment that is affected is the river, the fish, the forest area along the river, the gardens, and hunting resources. The damage is already done to the environment. How long will it take to get back to a clean environment?
* The potential for civil disorder. The towns people generally support the mine but the animosity is caused by the damage it 's doing to the environment. Civil disorder could potentially be caused if they decide to close the mine because so many people will lose their jobs.
* Compensation and social development. A group of landowners petitioned the government to take action to prevent the discharge of the tailing into the river and to provide them with a compensation for their losses. The mine is giving back to the community with jobs, health benefits, schooling, training, etc.
ALTERNATIVES:
Based off all the facts and information that is present, there are four possible solutions to this problem:
1. Continue operating the mine and dredging in the lower Ok Tedi River.
2. Continue operating the mine, dredging and build a new storage facility for the future mine tailings.
3. Continue operating the mine and do nothing else.
4. Close down the mine immediately.
Alternative 1 If Ok Tedi Mining was to continue operating the mine and dredging in the lower Ok Tedi River, this would lower the sand levels which in return would decrease the chance of flooding. Dredging would still cause the sediment to move down stream. Since the sediment is still accumulating it is still affecting the forests and environment. Also, to mine and dread is going to potentially be an additional cost between $300-$400 (millions). This amount
References: Velasquez, G. Business ethics concepts & cases. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.