ABG President warns public against unauthorized “Panguna Resource Development Forum”
The President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Minister for Mining, Hon. Ishmael Toroama, wishes to further clarify that the so-called “Panguna Resource Development Forum” currently being promoted by unknown parties does not form part of any process organized, facilitated, approved, or authorized by the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The ABG was not involved in the planning, coordination, or convening of this forum. The Government does not recognize or authorize this so-called forum to proceed and strongly discourages members of the public from attending or participating in the event.
President Toroama said the individuals or groups promoting the forum are acting entirely outside the legal framework established under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015.
“Under Section 140 of the Act, a Mineral Resource Forum process is a formal legal process convened by the Minister responsible for Mining in relation to an application for the grant of a large-scale Mining Lease as part of the mining licence application and approval process,” President Toroama stated.
“The law is very clear. A development or mineral resource forum is only convened when a formal application for a mining development licence or large-scale mining lease has been received by the Government and the responsible Minister formally calls for such a process.”
“As Minister for Mining, I am not aware of any application for a large-scale Mining Lease having been received in relation to Panguna, and I have not called for or authorized any Mineral Resource Forum process to be convened.”
President Toroama further clarified that the Panguna area is presently the subject of Exploration Licence EL01 held by Bougainville Copper Limited. The EL01 licence is an exploration licence only and is not a mining licence or mining development lease.
President Toroama further stated that legitimate landowners connected to the Panguna EL01 process have already entered into a valid land access agreement relating to authorized exploration activities. This agreement contains established grievance mechanism provisions which can be utilized by legitimate stakeholders to formally raise and address concerns or grievances arising from the EL01 process.
“Legitimate landowners are fully aware of the existing legal processes and grievance mechanisms available under the authorized agreements and the Bougainville Mining Act 2015. Any individuals or groups attempting to act outside of these legal processes and subject agreements are acting outside the legal framework established under the Act,” President Toroama said.
“As such, any attempt by unknown parties to convene or conduct a so-called Panguna development forum outside the legal framework of the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 is unlawful and constitutes "Interfering with operations authorized under the Act", which is an offence with a consequent penalty” he said.
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