Autonomous Bougainville Government President Ishmael Toroama has proposed the creation of a mining reserve in the Eivo–Torau–Torokina region, aiming to control licence activity and prioritise development of the Panguna project.
The proposal, issued through the Bougainville Mining Advisory Council, covers about 465 square kilometres and is intended to guide a more coordinated approach to resource development.
Toroama said the reserve would restrict new exploration and mining applications, allowing the government to focus on existing priority projects.
“The purpose is to ensure orderly development of the sector while safeguarding national interests,” he said. Toroama flagged rising competition among companies seeking exploration licences in the area, warning that overlapping interests have begun to create divisions within local communities.
“This is a matter of serious concern … the government is taking a responsible approach to preserve unity, social stability and national interest,” he said.
The move signals a shift toward tighter state control over resource allocation in Bougainville as interest in the region’s mineral potential grows.
The proposed reserve is also intended to give the government policy space to advance amendments to the Bougainville Mining Act 2015. Toroama said the review aims to establish a “modern and fit-for-purpose” legal framework to govern future mining activity.
Public consultations are open until May 4, with the government required to consult parliament before a final decision is made.
Toroama said the process will follow legal requirements under existing mining legislation, with stakeholder input forming part of the final determination.
The proposal underscores the government’s focus on the Panguna project as the centrepiece of Bougainville’s economic strategy, while seeking to manage competing commercial interests and maintain social cohesion.
The government said it remains committed to ensuring transparency and inclusive decision-making in the management of natural resources.
