Panguna landowners petition Bougainville government over BCL

The Panguna landowners in the Autonomous region of Bougainville have presented a petition to the Bougainville Government office of President John Momis, rejecting BCL’s application for an exploration licence.

The landowners presented their petition on Friday, April 28, 2017.

The petition is a direct response to reports that President Momis is considering supporting the BCL application because he understood it was supported by local landholders.

Chairman of the SMLOLA (Special Mining Lease Osikaiang Landowner Association), Philip Miriori and other representatives met with Momis in March this year following the misleading statements made suggesting BCL had unanimous consent. 

 Although it was acknowledged at that meeting that Momis had been misinformed, unfortunately there has been continued support for BCL and the landowners felt it’s important to demonstrate the overwhelming and heart felt view of the owners of the minerals – BCL will never be accepted on their lands.

Miriori, said the petition proved President Momis had been misled about the supposed local support for the BCL application.

 “We are the landholders who own the land and the minerals beneath the ground at the Panguna mine site,” Miriori said.

 “We will never accept BCL, as these signatures show.

 “We will be explaining the alternative proposal we have developed and presented to the ABG – a proposal that will get the mine back up and running professionally, and far earlier than BCL plans, which represents real benefits for Bougainville and its independent future economic prosperity.”

 The petition presented includes more than 500 signatures – an over whelming majority of the landholders within the Panguna mine site boundary. 

“There is a better way forward.  We have a proposal which can deliver a real prospect for Panguna and future prosperity for Bougainville.”

Author: 
Freddy Mou