Committee wants amendments to act deferred

The National Business

THE Bougainville Parliamentary Committee on legislation has recommended that amendments to the Bougainville Mining Act be deferred to after the referendum.
The proposition to amend the act was made by the Autonomous Bougainville Government in January.
Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association Inc said the amendment bill received further consideration from relevant departments and redrafting to take account of the matters that the committee’s consultation had revealed.
Further considerations would involve meaningful cross-departmental involvement, public engagement where appropriate and the involvement of legal and technical expertise, plus wider consultation with the people of Bougainville.
“The committee stated that any proposal to amend the Bougainville Mining Act must not be rushed.”
It said there were issues including:

  • Proposed abolition of landowner rights leading to unclear benefits for landowners;
  • monopolies being created;
  • uncertainty if a mining lease holder has to be a local company subject to local regulation;
  • uncertainty if a mining lease holder has to be fit and proper “person” to develop a mine;
  • uncertainty if landowners get the benefits from the use of their land;
  • unclear application processes;
  • terms or conditions of license/lease not stated; and,
  • Constitutional breaches and conflict with the peace agreement.