A small community in Madang in Papua New Guinea is fighting to protect their local beaches, which are a breeding ground for endangered leather back sea turtles, from being mined by a foreign company.
Despite local opposition a Singaporean company, Niugini Sands Limited, is understood to be close to getting the go ahead to start exploration of 38 kilometres of black sand beaches north of the provincial capital town of Madang.
Those fighting against the company say if allowed to go ahead its activities would threaten their communities, the environment and habitats such as the leatherback sea turtle hatchery.
Don Wiseman has more.
Critically endangered leatherback sea turtles are back in the bay. Photo: Sunlive / Nathan Pettigrew
