"A BCL spokesperson said it is regrettable that Philip Miriori persists in using misleading information to attack Bougainville Copper Limited through the media as chairman of the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (SMLOLA).
It should be noted that the position of chairman is contested and is the subject of a PNG National Court-ordered mediation process.
This process remains ongoing and in the interim Mr Miriori should not claim to represent SMLOLA landowners, the spokesman said.
In his latest media statement, Mr Miriori asserts that Rio Tinto still controls BCL.
The spokesperson said on the contrary, Rio Tinto fully exited BCL on June 30, 2016 by transferring its 53.8 per cent shareholding to an independent trustee for distribution to the ABG and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
The PNG government and the ABG drew down their shareholding on June 30, 2016 and August 19, 2016 respectively, the spokesman said.
Computershare Registry Services records confirm that both the ABG and state of PNG have both taken up these shares, with each holding a 36.45 per cent share. The remaining shares are owned by public shareholders.
Further, Rio Tinto's management services agreement with BCL was also terminated on September 12, 2016.
As a result, BCL became an independently managed PNG company.
BCL's offices are in Port Moresby and Buka, not Melbourne as suggested by Mr Miriori. In accordance with ASX requirements BCL has an Australian agent based in Brisbane."
It doesn't do much for Mr Miriori's credibility that he should get this basic company ownership information so wrong.
BOC Price at posting:
31.5¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
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