The Autonomous Bougainville Government has removed 30 Chinese nationals from a suspected illegal mining site in Kopani following a joint enforcement operation involving police, immigration and mining authorities.
The operation was conducted at about 4 a.m. Sunday by officers from the Bougainville Police Service in Arawa and Buka, together with officials from Immigration and the ABG Department of Mining and Petroleum.
The 30 Chinese nationals were extracted from the site, where they were allegedly involved in unauthorized mining activities.
Preliminary immigration checks identified issues with the nationals’ immigration documentation and status in relation to their presence and activities in Bougainville, according to the ABG.
Their passports were confiscated pending further action.
Under immigration directions, the nationals have been ordered to leave Bougainville within five days and travel to Port Moresby for further processing at Bomana. The costs of their travel will be borne by people associated with the unauthorized mining operation, the ABG said.
President and Minister for Mining and Petroleum Ishmael Toroama said the operation demonstrated his government’s determination to protect Bougainville’s mineral resources, environment and communities from unlawful exploitation.
“Our resources belong to the people of Bougainville and must be developed responsibly, lawfully and for the benefit of our people. Anyone who comes into Bougainville must respect the applicable laws. Where those laws are breached, necessary enforcement action will be taken,” Toroama said.
Equipment linked to the suspected illegal mining operation remains secured at the site under police instructions pending further enforcement action.
Toroama said the ABG was also pursuing amendments to strengthen offense, prosecution and penalty provisions under Bougainville’s mining laws.
The government is appealing similar unauthorized mining cases in which court decisions have been unfavorable to the prosecution, seeking further judicial consideration and clarification of relevant provisions of the mining legislation.
In the meantime, authorities are using immigration, environmental and other applicable laws to address the current case and other suspected unauthorized mining activities.
Illegal mining may also constitute separate offenses under environmental legislation, including the Environment Act 2000, where mining is carried out without required environmental approvals or causes unlawful environmental harm, the ABG said.
“This is not simply a mining law issue. Persons involved in illegal mining may expose themselves to investigation and prosecution under mining, environmental, immigration and other applicable laws,” Toroama said.
“We will use the legal mechanisms available to protect Bougainville, our people, our land and our resources.”
Investigations are continuing and will also examine the involvement of local people who may have facilitated, financed, organized, supported or otherwise participated in the suspected illegal mining activities.
Toroama thanked police, immigration and mining officials involved in the operation and said the government would continue to support coordinated enforcement against illegal activities in Bougainville.
