Talks on Panguna reopening going on

 FORMAL talks are ongoing between the Panguna landowners and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) on the planned reopening of the Rio Tinto-owned copper mine.

The ABG is believed to be holding a series of mining forums in Arawa that began yesterday to consult the island’s population before starting negotiations for the mine’s reopening. 

This would be the first time locals would be formally consulted about the mine’s future and hundreds of landowners are expected to attend.

The consultation comes after three years of lead-up talks and is part of a series of forums across the island. 

The government had held three previous mining forums.

Panguna and Affected Resource Owners Association deputy chairman Theresia Jaintong said that many people in the community would attend the meeting.

She said that the landowners have to say something, adding that it is way forward for the Panguna mine to be reopened.

“We will encourage them to speak positively about what they think, and with a lot of common sense, looking into the future for the younger generation.”

AGB Mining Minister Michael Oni told Radio Australia more consultations would take place over the next few months. 

Oni said the Panguna copper mine was opened under a colonial era agreement with little regard for local residents.

He added that the Bougainvilleans were still suffering from the impact of the mine and its closure during the civil war.

 “This time, as they consider re-opening the mine, locals are making sure they are involved in the decision process”.