Source: Emtv

Autonomous Bougainville Government President John Momis has criticised Australian NGO Jubilee on its report on Panguna landowners.

President Momis described the report has biased, defective and divisive.

He said the report was deeply flawed and that the interviews with 65 individuals and one focus group around Panguna Mine defers from the views of the 10,000 people in affected areas.

Source: Post-Courier

MANY in Bougainville are wondering why Bougainville Copper Limited’s (BCL) parent company Rio Tinto wants to make the domang minta (bel kol) payment.

The payment will be a compensation for loss of lives and properties during the decade-long conflict.

The period for bel kol has lapsed, say some, adding that Rio Tinto-BCL should now pay compensation outright.

Source: PNG Mine Watch

The Panguna Landowners Association (PLA) has gone quiet lately in its activities and the Bel Kol initiative has reached a complete standstill. What is currently in undertaking with this landowner association is unknown.

On the other hand, there is the rise of another association called the Osikaiang Landowners Association (OLA). Seen in commentaries on this blog, the person at the fore of this association is non-other than former chairman of Panguna Landowners Association Lawrence Daveona.

Source: PNG Mine Watch

"The gold stolen by these youngsters in and around Panguna  is BCL's property and PNG's property as well"

The European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper have accused families on Bougainville of stealing BCL's gold. The comments come in response to recent stories on alluvial mining.