Rio Tinto updates Marape on Panguna’s impact assessment

PRIME Minister James Marape yesterday extended his gratitude towards Australian mining giant Rio Tinto for its diligent efforts in conducting an effective legacy impact assessment for the Panguna mine and its affected communities.
The meeting this week saw the attendance of Rio Tinto PNG country director Andrew Cooper, along with deputy country director Cornelius Soagai.
Marape praised Rio Tinto’s remarkable progress in the mining sector since its return to Papua New Guinea, marking over three decades since its operations ceased at Panguna mine through Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL) as a result of the crisis.
“It is a step in the right direction,” he said.
During the meeting, Cooper updated the PM on the progress of the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessments which was initiated by an agreement between Rio Tinto and representatives of the Bougainville community members through the Human Rights Law Centre.
This process began following several months of dialogue facilitated by the Australian Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) National Contact Point (AusNCP).
The assessment aims to identify and understand the environmental and human rights impacts since the mine’s closure in 1989 following unrest on the island.
“The Legacy Impact Assessment for Panguna is progressing well, with a final public report expected later in the year,” Cooper said.
Tetra Tech Coffey Limited, a global consulting firm, has been tasked with completing phase one of the independent assessment.
Marape reaffirmed his government’s commitment to securing greater benefits for Papua New Guinean landowners from major resource projects, emphasising the importance of ensuring that the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville receive a fair share of resource benefits.