Rio Tinto’s willingness for dialogue welcomed

THE Bougainville Copper Ltd has welcomed Rio Tinto’s willingness to discuss with stakeholders social and environment issues arising from its operation of the Panguna mine.
A statement from the company (BCL) said Rio Tinto was responding to a complaint lodged by the Human Rights Law Centre on behalf of residents and communities in Bougainville.
It went through the Australian national contact point for the organisation for economic co-operation and development (OPED) guidelines for multinational enterprises.
Rio Tinto said it was ready to discuss with those who had filed the complaint, the BCL, the Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).
BCL chairman Sir Mel Togolo said social and environmental issues associated with the Panguna mine which ceased operations in 1989, had been a concern for the people of Bougainville, in particular those living in the project area.
“These complex issues will require comprehensive assessments to identify possible solutions,” Sir Mel said.
“Rio Tinto’s readiness to enter into discussions on these issues is certainly a positive development. BCL intends to play a constructive part.”
“The Bougainville Copper Ltd of today is very different from the company of the past, as it is now predominantly locally-owned after Rio Tinto’s entire shareholding was transferred to the ABG and the Government in 2016.”
Prime Minister James Marape said in Buka during the inauguration of President Ishmael Toroama that the Government’s 36.4 per cent share would be transferred to the people of Bougainville – 17.4 per cent to the landowners and 19 per cent to the ABG.