BY JEMIMA GARRETT

BOUGAINVILLE COPPER says it hopes to reopen the Panguna copper mine in as little as three years time.

Chairman Peter Taylor spoke to investors at the PNG - Australia Business Forum for the first time since a civil war closed the mine 20 years ago.

Mr Taylor said his company had learnt from past mistakes and is ready to take a new approach to talks aimed at reopening the mine.

He said he wants landowners and the Autonomous Government of Bougainville to set the agenda and take equity in the project.

Mr Taylor suggested a three to five-year timeframe for the reopening the mine but acknowledged that despite good progress on reconciliation there are still many hurdles.

He said he hopes talks on the Bougainville Copper Agreement will start this year.

Source: Radio Australia