MINING MORATORIUM STANDS

290216MINING REGULATION ACT 2016
By Tom Kathoa

The Bougainville Executive Council has adopted a new Bougainville Mining Resolution 2016 which will come into effect once all the necessary papers are finalized.

In announcing the BEC decision, Mining Minister and Member for Tera, Hon. Robin Wilson said this is an important step in the implementation of the Bougainville Mining Act.

The regulation provides for a number of matters that are needed to fully implement the Mining Act, such as forms and fees.

The minister said the regulation will come into force in accordance with a notice that will be published in the Bougainville Gazette in the coming days.

He further added that copies of the regulation are available from his department.

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290216MINING MORATORIUM STANDS
By Tom Kathoa

Members of the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) today discussed the 1971 mining moratorium imposed by the Colonial Administration at the request of Bougainville leaders to control the spread of mining beyond Panguna.

Bougainville’s Mining Minister, Robin Wilson in announcing BEC decision says, as things stand, our Mining Act preserves the moratorium, in the form of a mining reserve area covering almost all of Bougainville.

While the moratorium remains in place, the Mining Registrar is prevented by the Act from accepting any applications for mining tenements over land subject to the mining reserve area.

Reporter Tom Kathoa takes up the story…….
IN…………..Despite the fact………
OUT…………TOM KATHOA reporting.

The BEC is now asking the Bougainville Mining Advisory Council to provide it with advice on the options available to the ABG in how best to deal with the moratorium.

The House of Representatives will also be given an opportunity at its next sitting to debate what should be done.

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