BY SEBASTIAN HAKALITS
TO AVOID setting a bad precedence on the future of mining on Bougainville, the Panguna Mine Affected Landowners Association (PMALA) is in favour of lifting the moratorium on mining on Bougainville.
But before it takes place the PMALA would like the Autonomous Bougainville Government and Bougainville Copper Limited to address the legacy issues including the removal of chemicals and any radioactive materials related to pollution to the environment before any discussion about lifting the moratorium.
Represented by their chairpersons and deputies, the PMALA represents approximately 30,000 to 40,000 people from Loloho-Uruawa lease, Arawa-Siokate lease, Port Mine Access Road lease, Special Mining lease, Upper Tailings lease, Mid-Tailings lease, Lower Tailings lease, Coastal Corridor lease and Bolave Fish Owners lease have been seriously affected by the operations of Panguna mine over the first 17 years of mining operations by Bougainville Copper Limited and have experienced the destruction of their land.
“This destruction still continues today especially along the tailings lease’s where approximately around 30, 000 hectares of land has been totally covered by the continuous overflow from the Kawerong and Jaba rivers tributaries, affecting historical sites, drinking water and arable land,” said the leaders.
They said to date they are also faced with another ongoing effect of chemical and radioactive material that is still present in the Panguna Concentrator, the Tailings and Loloho Port facilities.
The PMALA leaders said the most important aspect of Panguna mining operations up till the present time is how this mining activities have affected their Panguna Mining Lease area communities and this is a major concern for their people as they are faced with many social inconveniences that are experienced on a daily basis.
All in support have put their position on paper and have also indicated with their signatures affixed.
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