Source: Pacific Business News

The PNG Forest Authority will not take responsibility and stop logging in Special Agriculture Business Lease (SABL) areas despite overwhelming evidence the logging is unlawful, says community activist group ACT NOW!

"We have met with the Managing Director, Kanawi Pouru, and senior managers and made a detailed submission but they seem more interested in protecting the interests of the foreign logging companies than defending the rights of local people", says Program Manager, Effrey Dademo.

On 26 September ACT NOW! led a delegation to meet with the Managing Director of the PNG Forest Authority and his senior managers to explain to them why the Forest Clearance Authorities issued by the Authority are null and void and should be cancelled.

The Forest Clearance Authorities have been issued to allow clear felling of forests in areas leased from customary landowners under Special Agriculture and Business Leases.

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.

Prabindra Singh - Network of Asian and Pacific Producers Board Member visits PNG for the first time.

Source: Fairtrade Australia

Source: PNG Mine Watch

The company said it disclosed the matter to the AFP on July 30 and that it continued to cooperate with the AFP's investigation.

Solomon Islands payments under investigation

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Payments made by miners Allied Gold and St Barbara to a Solomon Islands' government official are being investigated by the Australian Federal Police.

Source: EMTV online

Pacific indigenous people made their stand clear on seabed mining at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Speaking on behalf of the Pacific indigenous people, Dr Samson Viulu from the Solomon Islands addressed the world leaders, reiterating the facts of the lifestyles of Pacific people and their dependency on the marine environment.

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.

Source: Radio New Zealand

Whale Watch Kaikoura says seabed mining in the Chatham Islands should not be approved until its effect on whales is researched.

Exploration company Chatham Rock Phosphate has already gained a permit and now needs permission from the Environment Protection Authority in order to mine 1.5 million tonnes of phosphate a year for fertiliser.