BCL announces new appointments

Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) has announced the appointments of Mel Togolo and Peter Graham to BCL’s board of directors.

BCL chairman Robert Burns said the company was delighted that both gentlemen had agreed to join the board given the extensive experience and unique perspectives each would bring, during an important period of development for the company.

“Mel and Peter are highly regarded in PNG and have intimate knowledge of the resources industry both here and abroad, which they have gained through what can only be described as long and distinguished careers,” Burns said.

Mel Togolo

Togolo, a prominent Bougainvillean, held several senior positions with Bougainville’s former North Solomons provincial government between 1978 and 1990, including the role as Chief Secretary.

Togolo has also enjoyed a highly successful career in the resources industry in PNG and overseas, particularly in the minerals sector, for almost 25 years, and since 2006 has served as PNG country manager with Nautilus Minerals Inc.

He previously served on the BCL board as an alternate member (1977-1980) and as a full board member between 1990 and 1993. Until recently he was on the board of Westpac Bank PNG and continues to serve on the boards of several private companies.

Togolo was a founding member of the Business Council of Papua New Guinea and was president for six years.

In 2004, he was awarded Commander of the British Empire for services to industry and commerce in PNG. Togolo holds masters’ degrees in economics and geography.

Peter Graham

Graham served as managing director of ExxonMobil PNG Limited from 2009 to 2015 with responsibility for ExxonMobil’s oil and gas interests in PNG, including delivery of the $19 billion PNG LNG Project through to successful start-up. 

Graham has had an illustrious career in the minerals, oil and gas industries spanning over 40 years in senior technical and leadership positions.

He is currently managing director and chief executive officer of Ok Tedi Mining Limited which operates PNG’s Ok Tedi copper and gold mine.

In October 2016, Graham was appointed independent director and chairman of Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited, the PNG state entity mandated to hold and manage state equity in PNG mining projects.

He also served as vice president of PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (2009-2011) and is a director of Port Moresby General Hospital.

In 2013 he was awarded Commander of the British Empire for services to the oil and gas industry and for leadership in community development in PNG. He is tertiary qualified in chemical engineering and applied science.

(Mel Togolo, left, and Peter Graham)

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Press Release