A decision by the Autonomous Bougainville Government not to renew exploration license to Bougainville Copper Limited early this year has been stayed by the National Court.
The decision of 16 January 2018 will undergo Judicial Review, after Bougainville Copper Limited filed the case on 25 January challenging it.
Leave was granted On Tuesday by Justice Leka Nablu of the Waigani National Court.
BCL now have 14 days to file the substantive review before the court.
The grant of leave will operate as a stay on the January 16 decision pending the substantive hearing.
BCL applied for the renewal of its exploration license on 6 May 2016 from the Department of Mineral and Energy Resources of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
On 16 January 2018, it BCL was informed that exploration license will not be renewed.
BCL believes there were flaws in the process and wants it reviewed in court.
“The grant of leave is just a first step but its very important for us,” says Bougainville Copper Limited Manager Corporate and Company Secretary Mark Hitchcock.
“That means the ABG can’t do anything now to jeopardize our license. The license is still in review, and until that’s determined, ABG can’t turn around and give the license to anyone else,” he adds.