akoitai cautious on mine deals

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20060103/tuhome.htm

MINING Minister Sam Akoitai has warned Bougainville leaders to be cautious when talking to companies wanting to exploit deposits of valuable metals. Mr Akoitai is also the Member for Central Bougainville, the electorate encompassing the Panguna mountaintop mine that became the catalyst for the 15-year crisis. He said leaders of the Autonomous Bougainville Government had been negotiating with outsiders for possible mining activities in the region. Mr Akoitai learned that several company executives from Canada and other countries had been to Bougainville to talk to leaders about mining. “Mining remains with me as the Minister for Mining,’’ Mr Akoitai said. “When questioning the process applied to engage a private company, they were reminded that the process must be the one that must give good signs of governance, as it would decide whether Bougainville in 10 to 15 years can carry out a referendum (on possible independence). “So this issue has raised a lot of questions to me because we are now dealing with this sensitive issue which started the Bougainville crisis,’’ he said. Mr Akoitai said he was not consulted on the matter and he questioned the process applied in engaging a private company. He was concerned that leaders in Bougainville were talking to interested miners in the absence of a Bougainville policy and legislation on mining, including safety and the environment. “I’m not opposed to mining. I’ve already opened up debate to open up mining but not to engage those interested in mining without these important requirements and then giving the people of Bougainville mining through a referendum,’’ he said. “But with the current situation in Bougainville, mining continues to be a sensitive issue for all Bougainvilleans and especially for leadership in all levels of Bougainville