Feb 14 2009
Bougainville Copper – BCL
To read a novel based on an eyewitness account of the destruction on BCL Copper Mine at Panguna go to www.bougainvilleblue.com. Another related book is available there – about the kiaps patrolling the Papua New Guinea Highlands – BAMAHUTA LEAVING PAPUA by Philip Fitzpatrick. This book was recently read by members of the Australian Federal Parliament and used to further the cause of ex-kiaps being awarded service medals! Well done!
From The Europens Shareholders of Bougainville Copper Website:
Plenty of copper still in deserted Rio mine in PNG
Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:33am EST
SYDNEY, Feb 11 (Reuters) – The troubled Panguna mine in Papua New Guinea’s Bougainville Island still had plenty of copper and gold left when Rio Tinto Ltd/Plc abandoned it two decades ago following an attack by secessionist rebels, a new study shows.
Based on geological data from 1989, the study indicates over 1 billion tonnes of ore could still be mined, which is more than the 675 million tonnes dug over 18 years the mine operated, Bougainville Copper Ltd , the 53.58 percent-owned Rio Tinto subsidiary, said.
The study indicates “sufficient potential for a viable operation” resuming at the mine, it said.
There has been no exploration or mining at Panguna because the site remains off-limit despite the formation of an autonomous island government.
In 1988, its last full year of operation, the mine produced 166,000 tonnes of copper and 445,000 ounces of gold, worth $1 billion at today’s prices for both metals. (ESBC: Reuters forgot to mention Silver! Estimated investment for re-opening of the Panguna Mine: 1.0 to 1.5 billion $ only !)
Bougainville Copper’s profits are now generated primarily as interest revenue on a range of investments. In 2000, it began to dispose of its Bougainville assets and has since developed a portfolio of debt and equity investments.
Rio Tinto has long-shunned returning to Bougainville island despite an end to hostilities in 2001 and discussions from time to time with the government. In 2005, it sold its stake in another mine in Papua New Guinea’s Lihir island and holds no other interests in the country.
Rio Tinto is seeking to sell off billions of dollars in non-core assets such as uranium, iron ore and potash mines worldwide to pay off debts caused by the bust in commodities markets, though it hasn’t mentioned its stake in Panguna as being on the block.
Tanis calls for unity on B’ville
By FREDA BASSE
THE President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government James Tanis made a courtesy call on the people of Panguna during his inauguration in Arawa.
Mr Tanis said the ABG had still to develop an effective process to resolve the Panguna issues, adding when he talked to the people of Panguna.
He saw a real hope for reconciliation among landowner groups only if there was a proper political treatment.
“As the President, I declare my neutrality over Panguna. The conflict must end where it started and we must put in place the correct process to allow this to happen in consultation with the right people, especially the land owners,” he said.
He said he supported the Panguna land -owners in their moves to end the conflict where it started.
“I encourage you to reconcile and re-unite to speak with one voice. Your problems are Bougainville’s problems and the rest of Bougainville must play a role in ending this conflict.
The I will listen and help you,” he said.
The President said he knew some Panguna people supported the litigation in the United States against Rio Tinto.
He asked the ABG, BCL and the National Government for their patience, saying that with time and reason these matters would be resolved.
Mr Tanis said the people of Bougainville must not depend on mining alone but do take other responsibilities ahead of them.
The National, 23.01.2009
http://www.thenational.com.pg/012309/nation31.php
Tanis requests NZ to train B’ville cops
By AUGUSTINE KINNA
AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Government (ABG) president James Tanis has requested New Zealand authorities to train young Bougainville police constables in their country.
Mr Tanis made the request to New Zealand High Commissioner Neils Holm and New Zealand Police Commissioner Howard Broad during a function at the Kuri Village Resort yesterday.The ABG leader had proposed that his region’s young constables be trained in New Zealand.Mr Tanis said such scholarship programme would be of great help to the local police service as it would raise the capability of their police to carry out their jobs.
Expressing confidence in his new cabinet, he said one of the major priority areas they would be working on was the weapons’ disposal programme and law and order.
Mr Tanis said his government would be pushing for the draw down of powers to ensure that there was a balance “because at the end of the day, there were two sides of the peace agreement – the Bougainville obligation and the National Government’s obligation”. “I see my role as head of the executive council as a balancing act to satisfy our people’s demand for total autonomy and appropriate processes for referendum,” Mr Tanis said.
He said most of the activities would be taking place at the village level because the conflict started at the village and must also end there.
This is from the ‘European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper’ website, which copied my text and photos of the book cover of Bougainville Blue placed it on their website. I am reciprocating the link: