Events of Significance to June 30, 2013
The first half of 2013 has been notable for the increasing alignment of all key stakeholders behind the move to re‐start the Panguna mine.
A series of five regional forums instigated by the Autonomous Bougainville Government has been completed, engaging all communities from the Atolls ans Buka, to Arawa, and Buin. The sixth forum is to be held in Panguna and is planned for late August.
Strong support for the re‐opening of the mine has been reported.
Ex‐combatants actively participated in this forum process, and are engaged with President John Momis regarding a re‐start of mining on Bougainville, and the restoration of normalcy to civil society.
It has been reported that President Momis and former militant Sam Kauona have reconciled, and reached agreement on mutually acceptable terms of ABG mining legislation, and three significant ex‐combatant leaders have also settled long‐standing disputes between themselves, and agreed to allow safe passage to visitors and investors to formerly closed areas.
At the same time, four meetings of the Joint Panguna Negotiation Co‐ordination Committee [JCC] have been held, facilitating preparations for formal mine redevelopment processes, and the scoping and conduct of baseline social, economic and environmental studies. This committee has high level representation from the Governments of PNG and Bougainville, as well as the Landowners and BCL, with inputs from agencies including the United Nations Environment Program.
Issues being addressed with the formally‐constituted United Panguna Mine Affected Landowner Association include Bel Kol (reconciliation ceremonies), outstanding 1989/90 compensation payments, landowner relocation and resettlement, and skills training for future mining operations.
It is anticipated that the completion of the symbolic Bel Kol process will be followed by a formal invitation from the ABG, Landowners and Ex‐combatants to BCL, to re‐establish an office on Bougainville. This process is scheduled for the latter half of the year.
BCL’s upgraded Order of Magnitude Study has been was compiled to provide stakeholders with some general backgrounding on the OMS (following BCL’s announcement of its completion at the April AGM), study assumptions and other relevant information. Presentations have been given to:
• President Momis and the Bougainville Executive Committee (BEC)
• Joint Panguna Negotiation Coordination Committee (JCC)
• Mineral Resource Authority (MRA) and the Department of Mineral Policy
and Geo‐hazards.
• Government diplomats from the Australian, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States governments, as well as potential development partners.
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