Plan for largest mine in Papua New Guinea history 'appears to disregard human rights', UN says

The Chinese-backed gold, silver and copper mine at Frieda river risks catastrophic environmental destruction, special rapporteurs argue

The plan for the largest mine in Papua New Guinea's history carries a risk of catastrophic loss of life and environmental destruction and appears to disregard the human rights of those affected", according to United Nations officials.

In an extraordinary intervention, 10 UN special rapporteurs have written with serious concerns" to the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia, China, and Canada, as well as the Chinese state-owned developers of the gold, copper and silver mine proposed for the remote Frieda river in the country's north.