Panguna mine to reopen

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
AFTER 30 years, the Panguna copper mine will be reopened for the economic empowerment sought by the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) for its people.
The declaration of the mine’s reopening was announced after the closing of a three-day summit at Tunuru outside Arawa, Bougainville.
The chiefs of Panguna landowner group’s five clans Kurabang, Barapang, Bakoringu, Basikang and Mantaa agreed to the historic decision in front of President Ishmael Toroama.
The specific details of when the mine will be reopened and redeveloped will be discussed in follow-up meetings.
The Panguna mine was at one time the largest open pit copper mine before production was brought to a halt on May 15, 1989.
The mine produced concentrate containing three million tonnes of copper, 306 tonnes of gold and 784 tonnes of silver.
Toroama said that the journey of the Bougainville people from the fighting to the peace agreement, to the referendum and the decision to be independent between 2025 and 2027 was a journey that had seen revolutionary ideas brought into light as to how Bougainville could move forward.
“Our journey has not been easy, 20,000 lives have been lost to find a solution to help the Government and the people, it is time to reset the clock,” Toroama said.
“This reopening will create opportunities and jobs.
“The ideology sought by all leaders before me is to ensure Bougainville takes control of its resources and it will be a journey to see.
“This signing is the beginning of what is to come for Bougainville.”
“This is our tool to control what is yours,” he told the landowners.
The signing of agreement comes after Toroama told the five major landowners that their challenge was to resolve and agree to an outcome that would facilitate and support the 97.7 per cent vote for political independence.
Toroama said while the ABG had progressed much in declaring Bougainville’s firm position for independence in the last three Joint Government Consultation meetings with the national government, it needs a strong backing to ensure that Bougainville’s political aspirations is well supported with a vibrant economic foundation.