landowners set pace for bville copper agreemen

28 November 2010

28th November 2010
Landowners set pace for Bville Copper Agreement review
By Reuben Kalaung in Buka

ALMOST two hundred landowners representing six Mining Lease Area in Bougainville have reached a common understanding to allow the review of the Bougainville Copper Agreement, with the view to open the closed down giant Panguna mine in the future.

That meeting was history in the making for the Panguna Mine landowners, being the first for everyone to attend since the civil crisis. Landowners travelled in from Central and South Bougainville while a handful travelled in from other parts of PNG over the weekend.

The meeting was funded by the Regional Member and Minister for Bougainville Affairs Fidelis Semoso, was broadcasted live by Bougainville?s community radio station New Dawn FM.

The landowner groups did not spent much time in their deliberations before making their presentation today. All resolutions tabled before themselves were unanimously endorsed. Several issues were highlighted as important by the landowner groups ? the most important being the disposal of tailings and environmental damages.

Minister Semos oapplauded the deliberations of the meeting and urged the landowner groups to come with their decision to review the Bougainville Copper Agreement within two months. Mr. Semoso committed K300, 000 to assist the landowner groups to fast track their discussions.

Vice President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Patrick Nisira accepted a challenge by Mr. Semoso to assist the landowners with an additional funding of K600, 000. Member for Central Bougainville Jimmy Miringtoro was also challenged to assist with another K300, 000.

The landowners have been challenged to work together to allow the mine re-opening by the end of next year. All land groups have made an under taking to work with all stakeholders, however, have made it known that they prefer working with mine owner Rio Tinto than any other mining companies. They say it?s better to deal with the devil they know than the devil they do not know.

RK ? ENDS

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