Mine must be re-opened say Panguna landowners

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

The Chairman of the Panguna Landowners Association, Chris Damana, has accepted a presentation from the member for Kokoda in Central Bougainville who wants to fast-track the re-opening of the Panguna copper mine.

Mr Osioco presented two kina note to Mr Damana as a token of appreciation for his drive to open the copper mine quickly to support the ABG in its effort to raise enough revenue to run its affairs.

He said that the money symbolises that the two kina collected by mothers at the Arawa market could be raised to 200 kina if the mine is opened.

The presentation followed comments by Mr Damana supporting the re-opening of the mine. He said landowners had already decided to open the mine after negotiations with BCL and the national government is completed.

He said, without Panguna, Bougainville will struggle to raise enough funds to run the ABG.

He was speaking at the campaign rally organized by the New Bougainville Party in Arawa last Friday.

Comments

[Robert]

Frankly, there are a lot of people in Bougainville who wouldn't care less if the mine opened or not, especially those outside of the mining area. Life does not revolve only around a certain group or area.

The LNG project in PNG offers better returns anyway, and there is money to be made there either work-wise or from spin-off activities..

[Kris]

I noticed there are others with different views making their feelings known at the Rio Tinto annual general meeting:

http://londonminingnetwork.org/2010/04/bougainville-mekamui-message-no-more-mining-no-more-bloodshed/

It would be interesting to know the interests driving both sides of the debate, and who really has support at the grass roots level.