Rio Tinto facing suit from Panguna landowners
The sheer environmental degradation and considerable loss of life that followed Rio Tinto’s running of Bougainville’s Panguna gold and copper mine must rank it as one of the world’s greatest mining debacles. Seven
Embarking on writing a new Bougainville Constitution
The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission has conducted a consultation with Bougainvilleans in Lae on matters regarding the country’s constitution. The commission was represented by vice president of the
Consultations on constitution begin outside Bougainville
The Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission (BCPC) has begun consultations with Bougainvilleans outside Bougainville. The consultation is to gauge views and contribution of Bougainvilleans to draft an
New hope for explorer sitting on huge deposit in Bougainville
Enigmatic Bougainville Copper (BOC) was up as much as about 30 percent on Wednesday morning, despite no solid news. It was still up more than 20 per cent at 3pm, perhaps related to reports about the company’s
Independent assessment of former Bougainville mine due to open
An independent environmental and human rights legacy impact assessment of Rio Tinto’s former Panguna mine in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region Bougainville is due to begin this week. Last year, Rio Tinto
Overcoming suspicion: reconciliation for Australia and Bougainville
The angry reaction to Richard Marles’ comments should be a warning to Canberra about the need to settle past grievances. During a visit to Papua New Guinea earlier this month by Australia’s Deputy Prime
Bougainville open for business: President Toroama
Bougainville is open for business. This was the undertaking given to potential investors by the Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama when opening the 2022 Bougainville Trade and Investment
Opinion: Bougainville signals tough line on independence
In the last 100 years we have had to endure hardships from oppressive regimes who sought to take away our resources, our rights and even our lives. Our struggle for independence has been a long one. In 2019, a
PNG Govt position on Bougainville
Bougainville’s push for independence has hit a constitutional snag with top legal advisors telling the National Government that nothing can usurp the power and authority of the Constitution. The PNG Government’s
No need for public consultation over Bougainville: Masatt
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) has rejected a suggestion by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, James Marape that a nationwide consultation be held regarding the outcome of Bougainville’s 2019 Referendum
In our February issue
In this issue of Islands Business, lessons from Tonga where people continue to rebuild their lives after the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami. Kevin McQuillan looks at movement to reopen the
Panguna mine reopening
Landowners from the Panguna Mine area and the Autonomous Bougainville Government have reached a historic agreement to re-open the Panguna gold, copper and silver
Bougainville independence date set
Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has set 1 September, 2025, as the tentative date for the declaration of independence for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. He told the House of Representatives that the
Rio ready to discuss Bougainville clean-up
Global miner Rio Tinto says it is ready to discuss cleaning up the site of the giant gold and copper site which it abandoned in 2016, four months after destroying a 46,000 year-old Aboriginal site in Western Australia.
Rio ready to discuss Bougainville clean-up after claims it ‘side-stepped’ responsibilities
Global miner Rio Tinto says it is ready to discuss cleaning up the site of the gold and copper Panguna mine which it abandoned in 2016, a move locals say was designed to allow the miner to entirely avoid the costs of
Who will welcome Bougainville?
The results of the historic Bougainville elections are now known. In electoral processes setting benchmarks for emulation in the Pacific, former Bougainville Revolutionary Army Commander, Ishmael Toroama, was
Presidential leadership for post referendum Bougainville
Bougainville is going through a major political metamorphosis ending one political status and entering into another entity. The 15 years of Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Tenure has ended but continues
Pacific predictions: 2020
As we enter not only a new year but a new decade, there is much to anticipate in the Pacific islands region. Elections and domestic politics A number of countries in the region will have elections during 2020: Kiribati,
Long walk to freedom
By Netani Rika THERE was always only going to be one outcome when the people of Bougainville were given their inalienable right to choose the political future of the island chain. Independence. With an overwhelming 97.7
Bougainvilleans vote for independence
Bougainvilleans have voted overwhelmingly for independence in referendum results released this evening. The Bougainville Referendum Commission led by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, announced that 176,928 of a
Weather causes delays in Bougainville vote
From NETANI RIKA on Buka, Bougainville HEAVY rain and rough seas overnight have delayed the delivery of ballot boxes and voting officials to a number of small atolls off the Bougainville coast. Bougainville Referendum
Tears of joy as ballots flow
From NETANI RIKA, Buka, Bougainville TEARS of joy flowed down Francesca Semoso’s cheeks as she cast her vote in the Bougainville Referendum. Overcome by emotion, the Deputy Speaker of the Autonomous Bougainville House
Bougainville says no
The Bougainville Autonomous Government has rejected the Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) Panguna mining license bid following divisions among landowners. According to BCL company secretary Mark Hitchcock, the
