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Prospect Issue 3 January 2014 - Deep Sea Minerals Project Newsletter

Sunday, 16 February 2014 12:32 administrator
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The third issue of The Prospect is pleased to bring you news and developments from the SPC-EU Pacific Deep Sea Minerals Project and its participating member countries.

In This Issue:

  • Nadi Workshop Focuses on Environmental Management of Deep Sea Minerals
  • Launch of the SPC-UNEP/GRID-Arendal Pacific Marine Minerals Assessment Report
  • Q&A with Cindy Van Dover – Deep Sea Biologist
  • Deep Sea Minerals feature in Pacific Plan Review Report
  • GSD Annual Meeting calls for Forum Leaders to Address Deep Sea Minerals as High Regional Priority Cook Islands Enters New International Seabed Minerals Arrangement in Cooperation with GSR of Belgium
  • Winner of the Cook Islands Youth Debate Meets EU Ambassador
  • New documentary focuses on environmental impacts of deep sea mining
  • Staff Profile of the project's new Environment Advisor, Alison Swaddli

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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 March 2015 13:30  

Newsflash

Disaster Reduction Programme's EU B-Envelope project is working closely with the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources (MLSNR) to drill six boreholes on Tongatapu. A contract was signed with NEEDS Engineering Ltd for approximately TOP120,000.

Work has just been completed in drilling the first borehole near the international airport that was at a depth of 55 meters with other sites to follow. The borehole at Fu’amotu will be drilled to a depth of 65 meters while the three boreholes at Mata’kieua wellfield will be at a dept of 24 – 35 meters.

The boreholes will be used by MLSNR to monitor water quality. This is very important as the water piped through the reticulated supply to households in Nukua’lofa and in most villages on Tongatapu is sourced from the underground water lens. The data collected through monitoring the water quality including salinity is essential for good management of the water supply.

The MLSNR visit all boreholes on a regular basis to collect samples for testing in their laboratory. The project has also completed upgrading the infrastructure at the Mataki’eua wellfield with construction of new wellsheds, supply of electric submersible pumps and supply of rainwater catchments to the outer islands.