ABG concludes three-day integrated community engagement with Panguna landowners
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has completed a three-day integrated community engagement program with Panguna landowner communities, aimed at strengthening dialogue, addressing concerns, and ensuring communities are fully informed and involved in the Panguna mine redevelopment process.
The awareness program provided a platform for the ABG leadership, led by President and Minister for Mining, His Excellency Ishmael Toroama, to engage directly with landowners, clarify misconceptions surrounding the redevelopment of Panguna, and provide updates on key issues including partnering arrangements, access, and shareholding.
Throughout the engagement, President Toroama reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that landowners are active participants in the redevelopment process and that their voices remain central to decision-making.
He also reiterated a strong call for all Panguna landowners to stand united in the redevelopment of the mine and to ensure that the divisions and mistakes of the past are not repeated.
“The government has not isolated itself, and it has not made its own decisions, but it was through the various consultations that we have had that has taken us to where we are today,” he said.
President Toroama also assured communities that discussions on shareholding will be conducted openly to ensure landowners become partners in the development project, emphasizing that these discussions will take place following the completion of the required pre-feasibility and feasibility studies under the exploration stage.
President Toroama further highlighted that the Government’s progress is guided by the Tununu Resolutions jointly agreed to in 2022 by the five major Panguna clans, which provided the mandate for the reopening of the mine. Based on these resolutions, he stated that the Government has fulfilled its responsibilities in progressing the redevelopment process to its current stage.
Over the three days, communities were given the opportunity to raise concerns relating to land access, equity participation, and overall project benefits, with ABG President and senior officials providing responses and clarifications.
Vice President and Minister for Independence and Justice, Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, also addressed communities during the engagement, emphasizing the importance of unity and linking Panguna to Bougainville’s broader political independence.
Vice President Masatt further stressed the importance of economic strength in supporting Bougainville’s independence and called on communities to work together with the Government.
“I challenge you all here today, this is an integrated government activity where President, ABG Ministers, Chief Secretary and Heads of Departments are present, it is an indication of this government’s commitment of making sure that we provide the right condition for that economic challenge that we face,” he said.
In response, landowner representatives collectively expressed their support for the Government’s direction and acknowledged the importance of the engagement process, committing to work with the ABG in progressing the redevelopment of Panguna.
The program commenced in Ioro and continued in Panguna, with the final day of engagement focusing on landowner groups in the Arawa and Rorovana areas.
The ABG has reaffirmed that such integrated engagement will continue as part of its commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that all stakeholders remain informed, consulted, and actively involved in shaping the future of Panguna and Bougainville.
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