SKM (Sinclair Knight Merz) has developed a sustainability integration plan for Xstrata Copper’s new Frieda River copper/gold mine in Papua New Guinea. The plan aims to deliver enhanced sustainability and business outcomes for the project, by applying a “sustainability in design” approach, and has been developed as part of the pre-feasibility study for the mine – the infrastructure component of which is being delivered by SKM.
SKM’s Frieda River Project Manager, Paul Greaney, said that Xstrata was committed to balancing social, environmental and economic considerations in their business decisions, and as part of this commitment, had engaged SKM to manage the integration of sustainability into the pre-feasibility study. “Key elements of the sustainability integration have included the translation of corporate level sustainability requirements to project level objectives, application of sustainability considerations to major design decisions, and a transparent monitoring and reporting framework,” commented Mr Greaney.

The Frieda River project includes significant infrastructure development including power, port and airport facilities, roads and mining infrastructure. SKM has been involved with Frieda River since the concept stage and is working with Bechtel, Pöyry and SMEC to deliver the project.