http://www.pngindustrynews.net/mining/news/1310341/bcl-panguna-extension-denied, page-19

@vontrader

The ABG itself recognised Daveona as the chairman, that's why he was going to sign the MoA, along with the leaders of the other eight landowner associations (who remain supportive of BCL). The process was sabotaged pure and simple. And for your information the SMLOLA is NOT considered the be all and end all of landowner representation, hence the description of a "narrow divide". If the view of Miriori as the leader of the SMLOLA counted as strongly as you falsely believe it would not be a "narrow divide" it would have been "overwhelming rejection". This in itself should ring alarm bells to any reasonable observer supportive of RTG. Of course the President also made it clear that any other developer - yes that includes RTG - would be quote "untenable". In other words, one reasonable reading of this could be: it will be BCL (the company owned by Bougainville) or noboby.

Further, for your information, the Customary Heads, those who actually represent the individual landowners, continue to support BCL (there are more than 300 of them, in case you are wondering). You might be interested to learn that neither Miriori or Daveona are Customary Heads. It is for these reasons that BCL remains well and truly in the development tent. RTG may have Miriori and a few of his disruptive cobbers in its corner but the enduring support for BCL among truly influential landowners (who don't issue unrepresentative press statements) will ultimately prove desicive, as you would say, IMO.