It is reported that an Australian based scientist is calling on the Papua New Guinea government to stop a mining company from dumping millions of tonnes of waste into the ocean.

The Chinese government owned Ramu nickel mine has however said that the waste will not harm the environment.

But scientists funded by the European Union say the mine is basing its assessment on out of date data. Mr Gregg Brunskill from the Australian Institute for Marine Science said that the PNG government must not allow the waste to be dumped off the Medang coast.

He was quoted as saying that that "The coral triangle has the highest diversity in the world of corals and fish. If the government is honest about this in supporting the coral triangle initiative then they shouldn't be dumping this waste into this area."

Mr Brunskill added that it will not be known just how harmful the waste will be on the Medang marine life until well after the mine starts operating.