The Guardian 9 April, 2008
Power to Bougainville
PNG’s Post Courier newspaper reported on April 1 that the Autonomous Government of Bougainville (ABG) and the national government of PNG had signed a 15-stage agreement on the transfer of mining, oil and gas powers to the ABG.
This agreement, signed by PNG’s Deputy Prime Minister and Mining and Lands Minister Dr Puka Temu and Autonomous Bougainville President Joseph Kabui, provides a practical basis for implementation of the first few steps in the agreed strategic framework for transferring the functions and powers over the natural resources.
This means that the national government will not exercise any of the functions and powers which are the subject of this agreement unless requested by, or with the agreement of, the ABG.
President Kabui was all smiles after the signing and told the Post Courier he was relieved and happy that at least three stages of the 15 stages of the agreement had been signed.
Dr Temu also said he was happy that both parties reached an amicable agreement and that the meeting was successful and a sign of a lot more positive things to come.
The national government will continue to act in "good faith" to assist the Autonomous Bougainville Government to build its capacity to exercise mining, oil and gas functions and powers in relation to Bougainville.
Bougainville copper
The two governments have agreed that the Bougainville Copper Agreement and the Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) exploration licences will be reviewed.
Both parties agreed that all issues concerning the interests in mining tenements in Bougainville will be treated as separate but parallel issues to be considered in relation to the transfer of mining, oil and gas functions and powers; that the sensitivity of the issues about any resumption of mining exploration or mineral extraction by BCL in Bougainville is taken into account; that before the ABG can make decisions about possible resumption of mining exploration or mineral extraction by BCL, it will need to consult with interested parties in Bougainville, including the representatives of the landowners of the areas covered by the special mining lease held by BCL.
Also that before any process of reviewing the Bougainville Copper agreement and considering the exploration licences held by BCL begins the ABG must make a formal request to the national government for such a review and, on getting such a request, the national government will start the review process.
Stopwork at Lihir gold
Meanwhile, mining operations at the very rich Lihir gold mine in New Ireland province of PNG came to a standstill in early April resulting from a failure by the mining company to address water issues raised by landowners in the area.
Reports said there had been an understanding between the landowners and the company to improve water supply for the people but it had not materialised.
Villagers stopped flights in and out of the airport to express their anger and frustration and demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and that only after such an investigation is conducted and the results revealed, would the airport be re-opened.