President Toroama outlines mining sector legislative reforms in Parliament
ABG President and Minister for Mining, His Excellency Ishmael Toroama, today outlined key legislative reforms to strengthen governance of the mining sector during his address to Parliament.
The reforms form part of the ABG’s broader efforts to ensure that resource development in Bougainville is undertaken in a safe, responsible and internationally compliant manner, supporting long-term economic development and independence aspirations.
The Bougainville Parliament recently passed the Bougainville Mining (Gold Production Levy Amendment) Act 2025, formalising the taxation of gold production and strengthening revenue mobilisation.
“The Government continues to strengthen the legislative framework governing the mining sector,” he said.
“Key developments include the passage of the Bougainville Mining (Gold Production Levy Amendment) Act 2025, which formalizes taxation of gold production and strengthens revenue mobilization.”
President Toroama reported that relevant agencies including the Department of Mining and Petroleum, Department of Law and Justice, the Bougainville Tax Office and the Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Development are now working in collaboration to develop an implementation framework to enable the initial collection of the gold levy or gold tax, this year.
The President also informed the House that a comprehensive review of the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 is currently underway to strengthen regulatory control and address implementation gaps.
“There is also ongoing comprehensive review of the Bougainville Mining Act 2015, covering approximately 70 sections, including new provisions to address implementation gaps and strengthen regulatory control. Drafting instructions have been completed and endorsed by BEC for region-wide stakeholder consultations, expected in quarter 3 of 2026 prior to finalization of amendments.”
Further legislative work is progressing under the Panguna redevelopment framework to support the sector.
“In addition, under the Panguna redevelopment framework, work is progressing on priority legislation to support the sector, including the mining safety and occupational health frameworks, environmental protection laws and land and regulatory reforms.”
“These reforms will ensure that mining in Bougainville is undertaken in a safe, responsible and internationally compliant manner, consistent with our national development and independence objectives.”
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