Last Updated 31/01/2008, 09:43:51 Select text size:
The Papua New Guinea government says it wants a fair share of the valuable mineral rights in the autonomous region of Bougainville.
The once giant Bougainville Copper Mine was closed in 1989 during the island's protracted and bloody secessionist conflict, and has yet to reopen.
PNG's Mining Minister, Dr Puka Temu, says the government will transfer mining powers to Bougainville to develop its valuable mining, oil and gas reserves.
Bougainville's President, Joseph Kabui, says the PNG government should not have any say over mining on the Island.
He says mineral resources ownership must remain with the people of Bougainville.
But PNG's mining minister says PNG law guarantees the government rights over minerals on the island.
'The state should remain owner of all the resources. But in sharing the cake, it is important governments and landowners have a bigger share''.
Mining powers are expected to be officially transferred to Bougainville towards the middle of this year.
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