Bougainville Copper Limited

Phillip Miriori says BCL is profoundly misleading and shows complete disrespect for the facts, the SMLOLA and the views of many of its members who are standing up for their rights and say, “No to BCL Forever”.

He said the SMLOLA petition against the return of BCL now represents around 2,000 members and continues to increase.

“BCL’s ex Rio management has refused to meet with the Board of the SMLOLA or its

chairman,” claims Miriori.

“That does not qualify as ‘respectful community engagement programs’.

A high delegation of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville Government (ABG) representatives, who conducted a mining forum in Panguna and Arawa last Wednesday and Thursday, was met with stiff opposition from locals.

In Panguna, Regina Eremari, a landowner who represented the grassroots women of the area, said the ABG leaders were not considering the voice of the women.