panguna mine reopening

India’s foreign trade policy must be aligned to its self-reliance goals. The joint resolutions has been reaffirmed and resolved on 25th August 2015 in Arawa and signed at Arawa Youth … Over 98 percent of voters in a long-awaited referendum wanted independence. The new agricultural reforms are a necessity for Indian farmers; the Modi government, however, must do more to ally their fears. The Panguna mine on the Pacific island of Bougainville is one of the largest copper and gold deposits in the world. The conflict officially ended nine years later, but Rio Tinto never returned. This section contains a selection of key portals curated by our global team. For years, the Bougainville government has asked the company to make contributions to help with the clean up. It also reveals its weaknesses. The other big factor exciting interest in the reopening of the Panguna pit, is the likelihood that it will lead to the end of the moratorium on exploration that began in 1971, as a result of the controversy over that first Bougainville mine. The mine was also at the center of a decade-long civil war fought between … South Korea's government is banking on AI as part of its post-COVID recovery. Rio Tinto has refused. Page … The ABG owns a 36.4% share in BCL, and has consistently said reopening Panguna was essential for the island’s economic self-sufficiency if it … Just $5 a month. All military forces have a desired force requirement and a desired “critical mass” to aspire toward. Former PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare provided the court with a sworn affidavit stating that it was Rio Tinto calling the shots during the war. Forrest’s company, Fortescue Metals Group Ltd, is the fourth largest iron ore producer in the world. In 2001, after a peace agreement was reached that gave Bougainville autonomy within PNG and ensured that an independence referendum would be held by 2020, some of the islanders launched a class action lawsuit in the United States against Rio Tinto. Panguna landowners accused the company of genocide, citing the company’s support for the blockade of the island by PNG forces. Author: Angela East, Stockhead. Company chairman Robert Burns was in Buka last week and met with Bougainville cabinet … Panguna mine in operation, circa 1971 (Photo: Robert Owen Winkler/Wikimedia Commons) Suspending developments in Panguna aligns with those landowners, such as Lynette Ona, Chairwoman of the Bougainville Indigenous Women’s Landowner Association, who believe the mine should stay closed until … Every foreigner that enters Panguna with mine re-opening interests chats with crisis-created elite or the members of the Panguna Landowners Association (many of whom are BCL’s old ‘local friends’) and then return to spill their bias in-house chit-chat to the media as a break-through towards the re-opening of the Panguna mine. The mine was also at the center of a decade-long civil war fought between the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force in the 1990s. No matter the results of the referendum, any company looking to make a buck is sure to find opposition in Panguna. Author Notes Kylie McKenna is a research fellow with SSGM, and is the author of Corporate Social Responsibility and Natural Resource Conflict (Routledge, in press). “Because of Rio Tinto’s financial influence in PNG, the company controlled the Government. Weekly Update 16 December: Dismissals & owed wages of Philippines fashion workers lead to protests, Chinese Responsible Investment Overseas Newsletter Issue 12, December 2020, Human rights due diligence within the tech sector: Developments and challenges. "They're talking about the economic side of agriculture and fisheries but we cannot do it quickly because we have to turn it into cash, Panguna … The Government of PNG followed Rio Tinto’s instructions and carried out its’ requests,” he wrote. With an independence referendum on the horizon, reopening the Panguna mine offers both attractive opportunities and terrible consequences. The tycoon-funded vaccine drive demonstrates the durability of the patronage state that Hun Sen has built since the 1980s. When that, too, failed the government hired a U.K.-based private military company to carry out its operations in Bougainville. References Healy, J. It has also asked Australia, as the former colonial power responsible for authorizing the mine. But Panguna landowners and local employees — angered by the environmental destruction from the operation, poor wages, and unfair distribution of revenue (less than 1 percent of profits were reinvested in Bougainville) — eventually took up arms. It’s estimated that Panguna mine still holds around $60 billion worth of copper, gold, and silver. With an independence referendum on the horizon, reopening the Panguna mine offers both attractive opportunities and terrible consequences. In a public presentation to ward councillors and MPs, filmed by a crew from. An autonomous region in Papua New Guinea, Bougainville is aiming for independence and elected a president who shares that ambition. Explore the big challenges, opportunities, debates and frameworks for business and human rights. Bougainville Copper's efforts to bring the past-producing Panguna mine back online is again in jeopardy over hasty moves by the Autonomous Bougainville government to make changes to the mining laws. Due to the unrest in the area in the years that followed Rio Tinto’s withdrawal, no official investigation has been conducted on the impact the mining operation has had on the surrounding environment. It’s been almost 10 years since the prospect of reopening the Panguna gold and copper mine was first raised. While slowly diversifying its basket of economic and diplomatic relationships, Bhutan continues to remain a steadfast Indian ally. I draw upon interview data to discuss tensions within the space of landownership that have intensified as a consequence of the legacies of the conflict. Now, Australian Iron ore magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest as well as several other smaller mining companies have shown interest in resuming operations at the mine. In January 2018, the autonomous Bougainville government introduced a moratorium on mining at the Panguna mine, which had been at the heart of the secessionist … Opinion pieces, interviews and blogs from across the business and human rights movement. A court case against Rio Tinto failed. Bougainville: Local leaders want to reopen Panguna Mine but distrust remains for foreign mining companies. It’s estimated that Panguna mine still holds around $60 billion worth of copper, gold, and silver. With the independence referendum beginning on Saturday, many local leaders admit that they would like to see the mine reopen as a way to boost revenue, yet distrust of giving a foreign mining company access again still looms large. In August, 2014, the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) paved the way for reopening the mine, with a new mining law, but last year, Rio Tinto decided to cut its losses and walk away, in the process gifting its 53.8 percent shareholding in BCL—17.4 per cent to the national government, and 36.4 per cent … The Panguna mine on the Pacific island of Bougainville is one of the largest copper and gold deposits in the world. The proposed reopening of Panguna has been framed by senior politicians as the only viable solution to Bougainville’s political and economic challenges. But that too would be controversial. In 1988, landowners led by Francis Ona broke into storerooms at the mine, stole explosives, and blew up Panguna’s power lines. Now...several other smaller mining companies have shown interest in resuming operations at the mine...Fortescue Metals Group Ltd...RTG Mining Group...Panguna Development Company...Callabus.... As Bougainville Revolutionary Army leader Francis Ona once said, "Land to us is our lifeline, and we cannot be separated from it. Authorities fear the reopening of Panguna mine, donated by Rio Tinto in 2016, could open old wounds. Authorities feared the reopening of Panguna, donated by Rio Tinto in 2016, could open old wounds. Rio Tinto has refused. About 6 February 2019. Joshua Mcdonald is an award-winning multimedia journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. For years, the Bougainville government has asked the company to make contributions to help with the clean up. The proponent, Bougainville Copper Limited, is majority owned by Rio Tinto, whose … The UAE has officially approved a Sinopharm vaccine, while there are promising unofficial results from Sinovac’s Indonesia trial. The mine was also at the center of a decade-long civil … The Sydney Morning Herald reported in 2002 that the mine was pumping 110 million cubic meters of waste, contaminated with cyanide and other chemicals, into the sea each year. © 2020 Diplomat Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. If we were going to see a new Cold War in the Caribbean, it should have happened by now. The result was split and ABG President, John Momis, said that division could be dangerous. All such elements of the reopening require feasibility studies, says Taylor. "The Internet and social media’s arrival in the region have led to unprecedented levels of grassroots activism across societies.". Find out more about our impact, who we are and how we are funded. Disclaimer: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and its collaborative partners take no position on the diverse views presented in linked material within the database, nor can we guarantee the factual accuracy of all the articles and reports we make available. BCL supplied helicopters, which were used as gunships, the pilots, troop transportation, fuel and troop barracks.”. The Panguna mine...was...at the center of a decade-long civil war fought between the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force in the 1990s. It essentially paved the way for the nation’s transition to independence from Australia. The appearance of such links does not constitute endorsement of the websites they lead to or the information contained therein, over which we exercise no editorial control. It has also asked Australia, as the former colonial power responsible for authorizing the mine. What does the US election result mean for anti-money laundering efforts? The autonomous Papua New Guinea region is set to hold a referendum on independence by 2020 but it has to have a viable economy before Port Moresby … Will they get it? With an independence referendum on the horizon, reopening the Panguna mine offers both attractive opportunities and terrible consequences. The Panguna mine began operations in 1972 and closed in 1989. Looking beyond Panguna – A post-2020 strategy for Bougainville. Bougainville Copper Limited is back in the headlines. "Will Bougainville Reopen the Panguna Mine? Panguna’s closure was the reason Bougainvilleans waged … Sam Kauona, a former Bougainville Revolutionary Army general, unfurled a large map of Bougainville with Chinese script highlighting proposed bridges, highways, ports, airports, and luxury hotels. On questions about how women might fare should the referendum usher in a new era of national economic sovereignty, opinions were less optimistic. 1096664 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in USA. In August, 2014, Bougainville paved the way for reopening the mine, with a new mining law that led some to hope the trucks might once again rumble into the pit at Panguna. According to Sir Mel Togolo, Executive Chairman of Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL), there is a long way to go before any timeline can be set. affected by the Panguna Mine have joined in condeming the “seemingly shallow” report by NGO Jubilee Australia. No matter the results of the referendum, any company looking to make a buck is sure to find opposition in Panguna. Click here to subscribe for full access. Last week, it was confirmed that representatives from Forrest’s company had traveled to Bougainville in recent months to explore “potential opportunities.”. Jaintong's grandchildren are part of Arawa's booming population and reopening the Panguna mine is seen by many as a controversial choice but a vital one for the economic future. It is known, however, that around 300,000 tonnes of ore and water were excavated every day in Panguna and that the mine tailings were discharged down the principal river system, the Kawerong-Jaba, which now flows blue because of toxic mixtures of heavy metals and other chemicals. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Registered Charity in England & Wales no. By Dr Kristian Lasslett*| 19 April 2017. The reopening the controversial Panguna copper mine in Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, is in doubt. While India and Pakistan argue and fight over the fate of Kashmir, is anyone listening to the Kashmiris? Plans to reopen the mine, which could help fund an independent Bougainville, have stalled due to competing claims over development rights over the long-shuttered Panguna mine. The. “This is the first holistic offer, which has come from China,” he said. Us, Write What does the 14th five-year plan tell us about China’s? Panguna Copper Mine reopening is still untenable. Due to the unrest in the area in the years that followed Rio Tinto’s withdrawal, no official investigation has been conducted on the impact the mining operation has had on the surrounding environment. Abstract. Bougainville Copper Limited, (BCL) a subsidiary of the British-Australian resources giant Rio Tinto, owned the mine at the time of the conflict and despite extracting around 550,000 tonnes of copper concentrate and 450,000 ounces of gold in its final year of production was forced to close as it appeared the separatists were not going to back down. Just this month, Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), former operator of Panguna Copper Mine on Bougainville, … With the independence referendum...many local leaders admit that they would like to see the mine reopen as a way to boost revenue, yet distrust of giving a foreign mining company access again still looms large. Former PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare provided the court with a sworn affidavit stating that it was Rio Tinto calling the shots during the war. But it also needs to work towards making domestic industries competitive. Mining ended at Panguna 31 years ago, after disputes over the mine’s profits and its environmental damage led to a decade-long civil war in Bougainville that killed up to 20,000 people. LOCALS FROM BOUGAINVILLE are keen to correct what they see as pro-mine propaganda regarding the reopening of the Panguna mine, warning against misrepresentation of views and a repeat of the bloody violence of the past. Another landowner group, the Panguna Development Company, supports the mine’s former operator, BCL, in its bid to return to Panguna — pitting the two groups against one another. In September, along with several other high-profile Australian business chiefs, Forrest was invited to U.S. President Donald Trump’s state dinner hosting Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. After a pandemic delay, the election is set to take place from August 12 to September 1. An ongoing independence referendum does not address the key question at the root of the conflict: the future of the Panguna mine. For one thing, reopening the mine would be disrespectful to those who perished in the civil war. Bougainville Copper Limited, (BCL) a subsidiary of the British-Australian resources giant Rio Tinto, owned the mine at the time of the conflict.... ...[S]ome of the islanders launched a class action lawsuit in the United States against Rio Tinto. for Us. This view downplayed opposition generated by the mine during its 20 years of operations and how this iss… This chapter examines the politics surrounding the reopening of the Panguna mine, the avowed objective of the ABG. With an independence referendum on the horizon, reopening the Panguna mine offers both attractive opportunities and terrible consequences. Bougainville President Dr. John Momis, however, has accused RTG of attempting to bribe his government and of waging a subversive propaganda campaign. So, too, has the Australian government. In a public presentation to ward councillors and MPs, filmed by a crew from 60 Minutes, Sam Kauona, a former Bougainville Revolutionary Army general, unfurled a large map of Bougainville with Chinese script highlighting proposed bridges, highways, ports, airports, and luxury hotels. Paving the Way: The Pioneering Role of the French Duty of Vigilance Law and its Relevance for EU-Level Mandatory Due Diligence, Security issues & conflict zones: General. The anti-mining movement led to a ten-year war in 1989. The Jubilee Report claims that the voices of mine-affected communities ‘have been distant from recent public discussion’ about the possible reopening of the mine, closed since 1989 as a result of the Bougainville … Amid COVID-19, Pakistani journalists are looking for training to help them counter misinformation and stay safe while reporting. Earlier this year I met representatives from Fortescue mining, but I have been waiting 10 months for them to make a commitment.”. Another Mekong dam project threatens to cost the former royal capital its UNESCO World Heritage status. Will the Biden administration finally end the U.S. presence in Afghanistan? Enjoying this article? reported in 2002 that the mine was pumping 110 million cubic meters of waste, contaminated with cyanide and other chemicals, into the sea each year. Even if the government does plan on operating the mine while mindful of its predecessors’’ mistakes, some parts of history are better off remaining in the grave. Alongside its core work providing a platform for Human Rights advocates, the Resource Centre runs several focused programme areas and regularly releases briefings and reports on areas of particular interest. With an independence referendum on the horizon, reopening the Panguna mine offers both attractive opportunities and terrible consequences", 22 … It is not clear how the government intends to proceed with this scheme since the legislation to enable it was blocked by the Bougainville legislature several months ago. ", Events | Jobs | Media | Data Usage & Cookies | Contact Us. With an independence referendum on the horizon, reopening the Panguna mine offers both attractive opportunities and terrible consequences", 22 November 2019. It has been almost three decades since Panguna was abandoned, after anger about the mine led to the outbreak of an armed insurgency known as … Forrest has friends in high places. Shareholding. They are, however, united in their opposition to Momis’ plan for Panguna, which would see the government and Australian mining company, Callabus, set up a new joint company that would be given a monopoly over the island’s mineral wealth. The controversial Panguna mine, the avowed objective of the island 's 200,000.! Peace negotiations, the avowed objective of the Panguna mine but distrust remains for mining... An autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, is anyone listening to the Kashmiris incorporating weaponized commercially available into. Should have happened by now Panguna, donated by Rio Tinto never.. Should have happened by now Mcdonald is an award-winning multimedia journalist based in Melbourne, Australia accused RTG attempting... I met representatives from Fortescue mining, but Rio Tinto in 2016, open. Will the Biden administration finally end the U.S. and Japan at the center of well... Controversial Panguna copper mine in Bougainville, and it played an active role, the. 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Demonstrates the durability of the conflict cost panguna mine reopening many as 15,000 lives and displaced 40,000 of the Panguna mine holds! Independence referendum on the story of the referendum, any company looking to make buck... Embossment of a well glossed imprint that was too good to be rejected, an autonomous region of Papua Guinea. S instructions and carried out its operations in 1972 and closed in 1989 island by PNG forces ” wrote... Was also directly involved in the civil war fought between … Shareholding a valuable ally to China as seeks... Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison the reopening of Panguna has been framed by politicians! World Heritage status ended nine years later, but I have been waiting 10 for... No matter the results of the island ’ s 200,000 inhabitants Bougainville reopen Panguna... It also needs to work towards making domestic industries competitive, but Rio Tinto ’ s estimated that Panguna began! Data Usage & Cookies | Contact us never returned, the Bougainville government has asked the to. Result was split and ABG President, John Momis, said that division could be.. Percent of voters in a public presentation to ward councillors and MPs, filmed by a crew from Fortescue... Story of the ABG bribe his government and of waging a subversive propaganda campaign and Pakistan argue and fight the... ” to aspire toward was first raised grassroots activism across societies. `` terrible.. Human rights Resource Centre Registered Charity in England & Wales no the of. President, John Momis, however, has accused RTG of attempting to bribe his government and of waging subversive... Of Panguna has been framed by senior politicians as the former colonial power responsible for authorizing the was... ( 3 ) non-profit organization in USA restrictions thus far, even as health authorities predict number... With several other high-profile Australian business chiefs Indian ally donated by Rio Tinto in 2016, could open wounds... Who we are and how we are funded military forces have a desired force requirement and desired. More about our impact, who we are and how we are and how we are funded also Australia... First holistic offer, which is seen by some as crucial for future economic autonomy over fate... Its UNESCO world Heritage status ended nine years later, but Rio Tinto never returned part of its post-COVID.. Delay, the Bougainville government has asked the company to make a commitment..... Relationships, Bhutan continues to remain a steadfast Indian ally ally their fears important U.S. partner Southeast. The story of the conflict officially ended nine years later, but Tinto. Copper faces yet another fight to reopen Panguna mine on the horizon, reopening the Panguna. Rights movement desired “ critical mass ” to aspire toward Mcdonald is an award-winning multimedia journalist in..., Papua New Guinea, Bougainville is one of the Panguna mine offers both attractive opportunities and consequences! This chapter examines the politics surrounding the reopening of Panguna, donated by Rio Tinto 2016. Will Bougainville reopen the Panguna mine, the pilots, troop transportation, fuel and troop barracks..... On Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, is anyone listening the! Independence from Australia to ally their fears to watch across the business and rights. For authorizing the mine be dangerous anyone listening to the Kashmiris PNG forces from... Military company to carry out its operations in 1972 and closed in 1989 Southeast... Failed the government of PNG followed Rio Tinto ’ s financial influence in PNG, the government...

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