Negotiations regarding the re-opening of Panguna Mine between landowners and the Autonomous Bougainville Government can be brushed aside.
With the lifting of the moratorium, the ABG can easily apply for a new prospect anywhere else on the island, and negotiations for Panguna have been dragging for too long and a lot of money has already been spent.
This was revealed last Wednesday by the Vice-President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Patrick Nisira at the 11th inauguration celebration at the Hutjena Oval.
“We can open any new prospect now because with the moratorium off, Panguna will become less important now, and if it drags on more, we will just quit it all now,” Nisira stated.
The government cannot be spending money on something that isn’t moving or making any progress, he said.
(Panguna Mine. Picture: The Northern Miner)