The Autonomous Bougainville Government has resumed engagement activities with landowners in the Panguna EL01 licence area from 20 April, following a temporary suspension caused by Cyclone Maila, President and Mining Minister Ishmael Toroama said.
Consultations had been halted for two weeks as the cyclone affected access to communities and their readiness to participate. The government, in coordination with stakeholders, will now restart its structured engagement programme across Central Bougainville.
Under the programme, the ABG, through its Central Parliamentary Committee, will carry out constituency-level engagements aimed at disseminating factual information on Panguna-related developments. The initiative is intended to strengthen communication between leaders and communities and ensure consistent messaging at the local level.
Parallel consultations will be held with Panguna landowners and their representative groups, community government officials, ward members and other local authorities. The process marks a continuation of stakeholder engagement efforts disrupted by the cyclone.
The current phase will focus on addressing issues and grievances raised in earlier consultations, including improving understanding of the cooperation agreement between Bougainville Copper Limited and Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd. Authorities said the programme would also clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties and seek to build consensus among landowners through an inclusive and orderly process.
Representatives from BCL and LMEL are expected to participate in the engagements to provide further clarification on their respective obligations under the agreement.
Toroama acknowledged that views within the community remain divided over developments at Panguna, stressing that inclusivity remains a priority.
“A key priority of this engagement process is to promote inclusive participation, including constructive engagement with individuals and groups who may have concerns or who oppose aspects of the current process. The Government remains committed to ensuring that all voices are heard,” he said.
The ABG will also outline grievance mechanisms available under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015, as well as those provided in the Land Access and Compensation Agreement signed between Panguna landowners and BCL in late 2024. The agreement covers BCL and any authorised entity operating under the EL01 licence, including LMEL.
Landowners have been encouraged to use these mechanisms to formally raise and resolve concerns.
The government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that developments at Panguna proceed in a peaceful, transparent and inclusive manner aligned with the aspirations of the people of Bougainville.
