Former commanders deny mining deal

Former Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) commander James Orartoo has denied claims made in the media by Autonomous Bougainville Government President Raymond Masono that he and his group had signed a resolution with pro-mining BRA commanders to pave the way for the reopening of Panguna mine.
He said he and other pro-mining BRA commanders, Ishmael Toroama, Sam Kauona, and Glyn Tovirika were unaware of the signing.
“I am one of the many who oppose BCL or mining in Panguna or elsewhere in Bougainville, and I cannot claim to have the authority to sign any resolutions or agreements on their behalf to reopen the Panguna mine.
“The reports that you have seen in the Post Courier and statements made by ABG vice president were untrue,” he said.
Onartoo added that he and his group that included, women, landowners and the ex-combatants of South and Central Bougainville would prevent Panguna from reopening.
He pointed out that ABG lacked laws and systems to effectively regulate and deal with large scale mining.
He said without these mechanisms in place mining would cause more harm than good to the region.
“Masono’s claims that only a minority opposed the reopening of Panguna mine is totally untrue, the silent majority were with us and our call for ‘no mining’ in Bougainville has gained popularity,” Orartoo said.
“More people are beginning to realise that mining can easily strip Bougainville of it is walk to independence by taking control of ABG and is already causing divisions among us the ex-combatants and landowners.”
Onartoo appealed to BRA commanders and the ABG vice president not to mislead the people of Bougainville regarding mining, because such issues were still sensitive.