Engineering geology in Papua New Guinea: a review

Abstract

Papua New Guinea is a country where geology has a major impact on civil and mining engineering projects. It is situated in a geologically active region and hence is subject to earthquake- and volcanicity-related hazards. Combined with a high annual rainfall, rugged topography and intense weathering, this makes Papua New Guinea an extremeley challenging and interesting environment for the engineering geologist. Several large-scale open pit mining operations such as Panguna and Ok Tedi have involved a considerable input from geological engineers both in mine design and in the development of the necessary infrastructure. Environmental concerns have become increasingly important requiring the design of tailings dams to limit the effect of mineral extraction. The construction and maintenance of roads is an important factor in the growth of Papua New Guinea and both major and minor roads have been adversely influenced by slope instability problems. Numerous slope failures have occurred along the country's main route, the Highland's highway, on several occasions resulting in road closure. The development of hydroelectric power has also involved a significant input from geological engineers in the design and construction of dams and ancillary structures. This paper examines the influence of geology on the development of Papua New Guinea.