bougainville landowners want panguna re-opened

24.07.2012

Source: Post-Courier


Bougainville landowners want Panguna re-opened


Impacted landowners of Panguna mine have met in a bid to pave the way for the return of mining giant Rio-Tinto.

Rio’s Panguna copper mine was the spark that ignited a decade-long civil war which left thousands dead and the economy of the island on its knees.

Two decades on, there is a growing consensus among landowners about re-opening the mine.

The president of the ABG John Momis and landowners spokesperson Bernadine Kirra who is the Chairwoman of the 3000 strong landowner group speaking to Radio Australia’s Jemima Garret at the weekend said respective landowners of Panguna are talking to Rio Tinto for a possible return.

Kirra who was said to be from the lower part of the mine tailings that badly affected their environment said “the meeting with Bouginville Copper Ltd (BCL) was a step forward. it was a very good meeting because we agreed at once some decisions that BCL has to meet.”

Ms Garret asked what the feelings amongst the women were and the other landowners and whether they want to see the mine re-opened, eventually;

Ms Kirra responded, “uh, yeah! Most people in mine-affected areas and all of Bougainville, we would very much want BCL to come back before it decides to come to Bougainville and help us with our economical recovery on Bougainville,” she said.

Mr Momis added that the meeting with BCL was very significant. “It was the first time that all the landowners were represented in the group that talked with us. In the past we had other big meetings but not all landowner groups were represented. But this time it was good. The landowner groups represented all the groups that have been listed as the legitimate landowners, which include Mekamui, of course, yes.

“I was not completely surprised. I was very happy because we had been doing a lot of work, the administration has been doing a lot of work liaising and talking with the landower groups and insisting that landowners must come to an agreement to work together,” Mr Momis said.

Chris Damana, Interim Chairman of the key umbrella group, the Panguna Landowners Association, said the BCL representative aquitted himself well.

BCL will come and re-open the mine but need to tidy up a lot of things before they come and re-open the mine. We all agree that BCL will come back because they have learned their mistake. We have learned our mistake and, maybe, we can start on a new slate,”Mr Damana said.