Panguna delay call

Panguna delay call

Postcourier

4th September 2007

THE re-opening of the Panguna mine in Central Bougainville should not be addressed quickly because it is a major cause of conflict and a very sensitive issue.

This is an opinion from the chiefs, Me’ekamui Defence Force, women and youths from the villages in the Ioro constituency surrounding the Panguna special mining lease. In the agreement — the Panguna Communiqué — which they signed with the Autonomous Bougainville Government last week, the main points they outlined in the agreement concerning the re-opening of the Panguna mine include:

- Panguna mine should be discussed until Bougainville is a sovereign and independent state and a suitable compensation package is offered to the people of Panguna and Bougainville for the deaths and destruction arising as a result of the Bougainville conflict

- Until mining powers and functions are drawn down to the ABG, and that ABG is able constitutionally to make new laws and policies over mining within Bougainville

- A review of mining laws, policies, and legal agreements is reached.