Panguna Mine may not open, says Momis

The ABG President,John Momis said Panguna mine may never open although Bougainville’s financial woes can be resolved immediately if it opens.
Speaking at the Inauguration ceremony, Dr.Momis said that under the Bougainville’s law on Mining, the landowners have the power to decide what’s on their land and no one can push them around.
President Momis said that options are if the landowners want or if BCL wants to re-invest in Panguna it’s up to them to decide as the ABG can just facilitate the process.
He said that if Panguna Mine is allowed to open it can take up to seven years for reconstruction to commence before actually getting Copper ore from the ground.
For a complete new mine it would take over fifteen years for exploration to take place and to get the first ore from the ground.
He said some options are already available for the Government to consider if Panguna mine does not open.