BCL appoints Osikore as CEO

THE Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) has appointed David Osikore as chief executive officer and managing director.
It also appointed Johnny Patterson Auna as chief financial officer and company secretary.
The company has in the past five months been preparing to transition from a caretaker to a more operational exploration phase.
Chairman Sir Melchior Togolo said with the appointments, the company was prepared to transition from the caretaker mode it was in while tenure issues were being resolved, to now drive the development work necessary to bring Panguna back to operation.
“The Government is committed to the imminent transfer of its 36.4 per cent share in BCL, free of any charges, to the ABG and the people of Bougainville,” he said.
“This will mean that for the first time in BCL’s 55-year history, the company will be majority-owned by the government and people of Bougainville, who will hold a 72.8 per cent share.
“This, along with the appointment of two experienced Bougainvilleans to senior management roles, and five of the seven directors being Bougainvilleans, ensures that the objective of resuming operations for the benefit of all shareholders, including the ABG and people of Bougainville, remains central.”
Osikore, who has been on the BCL board as an independent director since 2019, has more than 30 years’ experience in the exploration and mining industries in PNG and Australia.
He previously served as managing director of Pacific Niugini Minerals. Auna served for more than 30 years in senior executive roles in finance, accounting and corporate operations in PNG and Australia.
He is an associate member of the Certified Practicing Accountants and the PNG Institute of Directors.