Staff lock office after landowners protested over licence

BOUGAINVILLE Mining Office staff locked their office after landowners protested against the delay in renewing their exploration licence, says Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Minister Rodney Osico.
“Landowners of the Toremana Joint Venture and Kalia Exploration, with Manetai Limestone (staff) protested outside the mining office in Buka on Friday after accusing my staff of sitting on their application for almost one year,” Osico said.
“However, the delay was due to lack of staff and also the continuous power blackouts, in releasing my approval.
“I have approved the renewal application last month for the Toremana Joint Venture and Kalia to conduct exploration.
“But my staff didn’t execute the administrative process to gazette my approval.
“They didn’t prepare the letter to have the mining warden or registrar to finally seal my approval.”
He said landowners of Toremana Joint Venture, Kalia and Manetai Limestone had stormed into the mining office.
“I have advised them of the delay,” he said.
“I also told them that I had approved their exploration permit.”