Land Access and Compensation Agreement signed between Taonita-Teop landowners and Bougainville Minerals Investment
A Land Access and Compensation Agreement (LACA) was signed today between traditional landowners from Taonita-Teop areas covered by exploration licence EL08 and company Bougainville Minerals Investment Pty Ltd (BMI). More than 250 landowners from 8 major landowning Clans were signatories to the LACA today. The signing follows ABG’s grant of EL08 to BMI in November 2024.
The Land Access and Compensation Agreement is a licence condition for EL08 and a requirement under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015; which requires the licence holder to sign the LACA with landowners before entering the land the subject of the exploration licence. It is essentially an agreement between customary landowners and the licence holder whereby customary landowners give consent to the licence holder to access their lands to carry out exploration activities within the term of the licence.
Present to officiate the EL08 LACA signing was the Chairwoman for Taonita Teop Community Government, Mrs Anna Satoriri who stated that it was the Community Government who initially endorsed BMI back in 2021 and have since been working closely with the company to foster acceptance and support from the landowners and resources owners of the area.
She also mentioned that it has been a long time coming and is very excited at the development thus far. She urged the local landowners and the resource owners to take responsibility of their decisions in committing to sign and give consent for BMI Pty Ltd to access their land and carry out its work program in their areas.
Speaking on behalf of BMI, Mr Paul Ryan, company owner and Managing Director, congratulated the landowners on their decision to partner with BMI and progress work entailed under the the EL08 licence. Mr Ryan indicated that ground works were now underway for construction of office and accommodation for employees who will be based at the Yokomori Camp Site. He assured the landowners that BMI Limited is committed to provide as much spin off benefit as possible during their tenure by localising all of their activities in Taonita-Teop.
Mr. Joe Pais, former member of the House of Representative and Paramount Chief, spoke on the importance of the resource owners freeing up their lands to the ABG to progress important projects. He stated that it was high time that the resource owners and landowners work together with the ABG in freeing up our lands for important developmental projects to foster the economy of Bougainville. He further stated that the timeline for Independence is not far off and we have to be serious in helping our government.
Representing the ABG Department of Mining and Petroleum Director for Regulatory Operations Ms. Lesley Gagesin, acknowledged the collaboration of all key stakeholders which has resulted in the successful signing of the EL08 LACA between the Taonita teop Landowners and BMI today. She urged the landowners to take ownership of the project and continue to collaborate and pledge their support to BMI Pty Ltd in order to see a positive outcome. She further clarifies to the landowners that, the EL08 licence is an exploration licence and not a mining licence.
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