Note the 3rd last paragraph 'Mr Burns said it was unfortunate that there was some dispute over the leadership of one of the nine land owner associations and BCL was hopeful of a lasting resolution of the issue and would continue to work collaboratively with all landowners.'.
What they failed to mention is that this landowner group is the SMLOLA, the main Panguna group which controls the mine resource.
They are also very disengenuous is saying there is 'some dispute'. The only dispute exists in the minds of BCL & the former, deposed president, Lawrence Deveona. Phillip Miriori & his team were democratically elected unanimously as president & office holders at the 2016 AGM of the SMLOLA for the 2016/2017 year & re-elected recently at the 2017 AGM for the 2017/2018 year.
Thats 2 elections & Miriori has been the democratically elected president of the SMLOLA for 18 months.
Miriori & the SMLOLA also organised the 500 landowner petition that was delvered to the ABG a few weeks ago so it cannot be doubted that Miriori & his leadership group in the SMLOLA obviously have extensive, if not unanimous support of the SMLOLA which represents the owners of the Panguna mine land & resource.
Sooner or later BCL & the ABG will have to accept this, stop ignoring the elected leadership of the SMLOLA, & start to comminicate & negotiate with the leadership of the SMLOLA instead of ignoring them
Interesting times.
MEDIA - BOUGAINVILLE COPPER LIMITED
Latest News & Information on Bougainville Copper Limited and the surrounding communities.
BCL TO INTENSIFY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Posted on July 6, 2017
Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) is set to intensify its community engagement activities as part of a comprehensive, staged development plan for a new Panguna mining project.
BCL Chairman Rob Burns said a genuine commitment to stakeholder engagement underpinned the development plan and the company was putting in place the necessary resources and personnel to step up its on-the-ground activities in Bougainville over the coming months.
“We fully understand that building trust and widespread support among all relevant parties, as well as the people of Bougainville more broadly, is essential if the aim of renewing mining at Panguna is to be realised,” he said.
“By working collaboratively with all groups, we have every confidence that outstanding issues can be resolved and the necessary benchmarks can be met for the project to advance,” Mr Burns said.
BCL also notes recent comments by a third-party company, RTG, that it had been nominated by one of nine landowner associations as a development partner in a Panguna project.
Notwithstanding, Mr Burns said it was important to stress that BCL’s first right to develop the Panguna tenement was clear and unambiguous under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015. He also noted RTG’s pledge to “fully respect” this right.
“There can be no doubt that we are totally committed to exercising our right through the implementation of our development plan, which has the full backing of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and broad endorsement among the landowner associations,” he said.
Mr Burns said it was unfortunate that there was some dispute over the leadership of one of the nine land owner associations and BCL was hopeful of a lasting resolution of the issue and would continue to work collaboratively with all landowners.
“We know there are people with different views, but equally we are encouraged by the levels of support we have received to date and will work hard to further build our relationships,” Mr Burns said.
The people of Bougainville have a significant stake in the BCL of today, with the ABG a major shareholder.
(20min delay)