THE reopening of the Panguna mine is one of the top priorities of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Panguna joint negotiations coordination chairman Raymond Masono says.
He also said the ABG was having discussions with the Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL) about reopening the mine.
He told the recent “Sustainability of Bougainville” seminar that there was no “higher impact” project on Bougainville than reopening the Panguna mine.
“The ABG has prioritised the reopening of Panguna because of its potential to contribute to Bougainville’s social and economic development,” he said.
“However, it also has the potential to contribute to renewed conflict if negotiations are not handled carefully.
“The ABG wants to make sure that this time around, affected and impacted landowners play a key role in decision-making about the mine, and all Bougainvilleans know what is going on and have an opportunity to express their views and concerns.”
Regarding BCL, Masono said traditional ‘belkol’ (appeasement) ceremonies would first have to be held for landowners by the company.
“During the meetings with BCL, landowner representatives raised a number of issues with BCL, one of which was the need to conduct a ‘belkol’ ceremony according to the traditional customs of the Nasioi people,” he said.
“This would be the first step in reestablishing relationships with the people of Bougainville.
“The ABG and landowners have planned to perform a ‘belkol’ ceremony with BCL in the form of three feasts in Arawa, Buin and Buka.
“I’d like to express here that ‘belkol’ is different from compensation,” he said.
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