Original story by Liam Cochrane, Australia Network News
With its wealth of precious metals underground, Bougainville is a treasure island. Bougainville’s Panguna mine is one of the richest copper mines in the world. Photo: ABC
The newly-elected representative for landowner groups around Papua New Guinea’s Panguna mine on Bougainville says addressing the historic demands for 10 billion kina (A$4.5 billion) compensation will be a key part of his negotiations.
Lawrence Daveona is the new chairman of the Umbrella Panguna Landowners Association, representing six groups affected by the giant copper and gold mine.
He has told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat that while it’s highly unlikely any company will pay the 10 billion kina up front, it must be addressed as part of a wider agreement.
“That will come as a pre-condition to any negotiation talks,” he said.
The Panguna copper and gold mine on PNG’s Bougainville island was shut down in 1989, amid a civil war led by opponents of the mine.
Negotiations to re-open Panguna have struggled, due in part to disunity amongst the various communities living near the mine, roads and port.
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