In accordance with the Bougainville Mining Act 2015, the agreement enshrines the rights of landowners in relation to their provision of access to BCL for work under its exploration licence.

Bougainville’s President Ishmael Toroama commended the landowners and BCL for reaching the agreement and emphasised the importance of cooperative relations. There were also customary thanks given to the five clans of the Panguna area.

The signing event followed a period of extensive consultation with landowners, members of the Panguna Landowners Interim Council, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, community governments, veterans, women’s leaders and others in the community.

Sir Melchior Togolo

BCL Chairman Sir Melchior Togolo paid tribute to landowners for their good faith and the constructive way they have engaged throughout the process that led to the signing.

“This agreement will allow us to increase our activities in the licence area which we will do in a most respectful and considerate way,” he said.

Sir Melchior said BCL shared with landowners, the ABG and others in the community the mutual goal of advancing the Panguna project to create transformational opportunities for Bougainville and its people, both at the economic and social levels.