Musan Iron Ore Mine

The Musan Iron Ore Mine Complex in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK is a significant industrial source of pollution and is considered to be one of the major pollution hotspots on the North Korean side of the Tumen River Basin. Large amounts of tailings have been discharged since at least 2000 into the Songchonsu river, barely a kilometer from its confluence with the Tumen River.

TumenNET aims to assist mine management to reduce pollution through a comprehensive approach that addresses tailings management as an integral part of overall mine efficiency increase. The implementation of major changes is expected to far exceed the financial capacities of mine management and TumenNET aims to assist DPRK to seek investment from external sources.

The ultra-fine iron ore tailings are not toxic but cause severe damage to the river environment as they as they settle and choke the riverbed and degrade the quality of the water. An estimated 3-4 MT of tailings are discharged into the river system annually and its effect on river biodiversity is considerable:

• the sands and fine sediments deposit in the quieter regions of the river and smother any aquatic flora;
• the sediment load and presence of oxidisable minerals (magnetite) tends to deplete the dissolved oxygen content of the water, killing aquatic fauna;
• the suspended sediments prevent transmission of light through the water;
• deposition of sediment will eventually affect the river flow patterns and may lead to the river changing its course as it flows through flatter valleys;
• communities living downstream of the discharge area will be adversely affected by reduced qualiyt of water for personal consumption and irrigation use

The PFS commenced with an inception visit by Jaakko Pöyry scientists to Musan in September 2002. Specialist working groups were established, initial monitoring equipment commissioned and initial training conducted. A second and major field mission is scheduled for May 2003. Long-term monitoring of environmental and meteorological parameters will continue through to December 2003.

An international roundtable for potential investors is tentatively scheduled for mid 2003. The roundtable will be advertised through relevant national and international business media but participation will be by invitation only.