Bougainville showcases resource investment opportunities at PNG Resources Week 2025
The Autonomous Bougainville Government made its second debut this week at the annual PNG Resources Week 2025 hosted by the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable economic development through responsible resource management.
Addressing an audience of both global and national resource and energy stakeholders on behalf of President His Excellency Ishmael Toroama, ABG Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei, reiterated the President’s message that ‘Bougainville is open for business’, emphasizing Bougainville’s untapped mineral and natural resource potential.
“For decades, these resources remained largely untapped or underutilized due to conflict, instability or lack of infrastructure. Today, we are changing that narrative,” Nanei said.
The Chief Secretary, in delivering the presentation on behalf of the President and the ABG outlined the government’s efforts in building a stable and investor-friendly environment, noting Bougainville’s legal and regulatory frameworks designed to support responsible resource development.
“Through the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 and Bougainville Mining Regulations 2016, the ABG now holds full jurisdiction over mining and exploration activities in the Region,” he stated.
On the energy front, Mr Nanei spotlighted the launch of the Bougainville Energy Policy and Strategic Energy Action Plan 2023-2033, which outlines the ABG’s vision for clean, affordable and community-led energy solutions.
Mr Nanei provided a snapshot of the current investment landscape in Bougainville, highlighting the mineral and energy sectors as top priorities and called for partnerships that respect the people, environment and long-term sustainable development goals of the region.
“We currently have four active Exploration Licences. Three of these are greenfield projects in areas that have remained unexplored for the last thirty-seven years. Exploration results to date are already supporting the assumptions about Bougainville’s economic mineralization potential, with results pointing to the presence of rich porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold-silver mineralization.”
He also gave an update on the Exploration License (EL01) over the former Panguna mine SML area which was granted to Bougainville Copper Limited in 2024.
“BCL has made significant progress on signing the necessary access agreements with the Panguna landowners and has been steadily increasing its on-site presence and on-site activities over the past year,” Mr Nanei reported.
In addition, Nanei signaled new opportunities in tailings re-processing and min rehabilitation at Panguna. “We are also looking at Tailings reprocessing and mine rehabilitation at Panguna and we invite potential partners who may be interested in this project for dialogue with ABG and our landowners.”
Speaking on the energy sector, Mr Nanei highlighted the ABG’s focus on sustainable energy development and solutions, including solar mini-grids and hydro power. He also announced progress made on the redevelopment of the Loloho fuel depot which has a storage capacity of 61million liters.
“We’re currently having discussion with potential fuel suppliers on potential fuel supply arrangements, and we invite others who may be interested to also engage with us on this opportunity.”
He added that the Government had established the Bougainville Power & Water Corporation Ltd, an entity responsible for electricity and water services. The ABG is in consultations with PNG Power to build capacity ultimately aimed at managing the electricity grids in Buka and Arawa.
Land access and urban planning were also raised as key economic enablers for investment in Bougainville. “We are prioritising proper urban development planning to free up land in key centres like Buka, Kokopau, Kieta, Toniva and Buin, with a strong focus on attracting private sector investment to drive infrastructure, economic growth, and job creation in key sectors.”
Mr Nanei concluded with a strong message of commitment to development-led peace.
“The ABG is committed to ensuring that investments in Bougainville are carried out with integrity, accountability and mutual benefit. We believe in peace through development – and in building a strong economy that supports the independence aspirations our people.”
“Bougainville is open for investment. As Chief Secretary, I invite all present to explore the opportunities Bougainville offers, to engage with our institutions, and to walk with us on this journey of renewal and self-reliance.”
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