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http://www.minesandcommunities.org/Action/press655.htm

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20050624/news02.htm


B’ville ‘exploration’ nod

MEMBERS of Bougainville Autonomous Government have agreed unanimously to have mineral exploration carried out on the island.
They also want an immediate review into the Bougainville copper mining agreement and they want the National Government to lift the existing moratorium on exploration on the island.
Mining Minister Sam Akoitai has instructed his department to prepare a submission to the National Executive Council for a possible review of the Bougainville copper mining agreement.
The review would look at possible benefits, entitlements for the autonomous government and the landowners and the tax issue between Bougainville Copper Limited and the Internal Revenue Commission.
Mr Akoitai gave the instructions after he received a letter from the office of the Administrator of the Department of Bougainville advising him of the decision of the provincial cabinet for an urgent review of the Bougainville copper agreement Act 1967.
The provincial cabinet had request for the existing moratorium on exploration and mining on Bougainville be revoked and further advised that the Bougainville province was now cleared for mineral exploration. Mr Akoitai said the review would also look at different issues.
But he said the review into the mining agreement would not mean re-opening of the abandoned Panguna mine.
“I have directed the Department of Mining to co-ordinate with the Department of Attorney-General and relevant Government agencies to urgently prepare a submission for me to advise the National Executive Council and the Government on the decision of the Bougainville Provincial Cabinet and the urgency of their request to review the Bougainville copper agreement and for the National Government to revoke the existing moratorium and be advised of the provincial cabinet’s decided clearance of mineral exploration on the Bougainville island,” Mr Akoitai said.
The moratorium covers exploration outside the existing special mining lease at Panguna and the entire island.
Bougainville Copper Limited had seven exploration licences which covered extensive areas of Bougainville.
After the discovery of a major porphyry copper deposit at Panguna in 1969, Bougainville was swamped with applications for prospecting authorities (PA) covering the whole of Bougainville island, including Buka.