Bougainville leaders are considering lifting the moratorium on mineral exploration which has been in place since the 1970s, in case the Panguna gold and copper mine does not re-open.
Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG)
The President of Bougainville, John Momis, wants work on restarting the giant Panguna gold and copper mine later this year, and says the former leader of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, Sam Kuona, now supports re-opening the mine. In this exclusive interview with Business Advantage PNG, he outlines the steps now needed to restart operations.
The newly-appointed head of the Bougainville landowners group is cautiously optimistic that work to re-open the giant Panguna copper and gold mine could begin within two years.
Trade mission from Cairns