'Nothing off the agenda' for Bougainville mine talks PHOTO Bougainville Copper will hold talks with landowners about reopening the Panguna mine, in Bougainville.[AAP] Jemima Garrett
Last Updated: 13 hours 15 minutes ago
The Chairman of Rio Tinto subsidiary, Bougainville Copper, says nothing is off the agenda for talks aimed at reopening the controversial Panguna mine on Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville.
The mine closed in 1988 after it became the spark which ignited a 10-year civil war.
Bougainville Copper Chairman, Peter Taylor, says he is confident, from the company's side, the mine can be re-opened, but he says the ultimate decision rests with the landowners and the Bougainville government.
"My approach is to allow the landowners, or in fact encourage the landowners and the Bougainville government to set the agenda," he said.
"I would expect that there would be shared ownership in the mine with the landowners and the government."
Mr Talyor says he is willing to talk to opponents of the mine as well as supporters.
He is expected to meet Bougainville President, John Momis, in Sydney early next month.
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