Panguna Landowners Unanimously Back New Mine Redevelopment Framework

Landowners and community leaders have overwhelmingly backed the Autonomous Bougainville Government's (ABG) new legislative and mining framework for the long-delayed Panguna mine project. This significant endorsement came after a series of stakeholder engagement meetings concluded on Wednesday.

The consultations, led by ABG President Ishmael Toraoma, centered on the recently passed Bougainville Mining (Amendment) Act 2026 and the granting of Large-Scale Mining Lease No. 01 to Bougainville Minerals Limited (BML). Representatives from the Panguna Landowner Interim Council, five clans, local veterans, and officials from the ABG Department of Mining and Petroleum, along with BML's preferred development partner, Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL), participated.

Officials presented detailed briefings on the new legislation, explaining the special redevelopment pathway for former large-scale mines and outlining the implementation steps. Participants welcomed the amendments, viewing them as a necessary structure for an orderly and accelerated redevelopment. Key aspects of support included provisions that safeguard compensation, royalties, and environmental approvals, while significantly increasing landowner equity ownership at no cost.

President Toraoma stated that the message from landowners and communities was clear: they support the new framework, increased landowner participation, and practical, timely redevelopment. A consistent theme during the consultations was the collective desire to move beyond discussions and toward concrete actions. Stakeholders strongly backed the BML-LMEL partnership and urged swift progress under the new legal structure. The ABG has reiterated its commitment to ensuring all redevelopment activities adhere to the law and provide lasting benefits for Bougainville's people.

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The message from landowners and communities was clear. They support the new redevelopment framework, they support stronger landowner participation, and they want to see responsible redevelopment move forward in a practical and timely manner.