Panguna landowners unanimously endorse new Panguna Mine redevelopment framework

In a significant step forward for the long-stalled Panguna mine project, landowners and community leaders have voiced overwhelming support for the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s (ABG) new legislative and mining framework.

The endorsement came during a series of stakeholder engagement meetings concluded on Wednesday.

The consultations, led by ABG President and Minister for Mining and Petroleum, Ishmael Toraoma, focused on the recently enacted Bougainville Mining (Amendment) Act 2026 and the grant of Large-Scale Mining Lease No. 01 (LSML-01) to Bougainville Minerals Limited (BML).

Representatives from the Panguna Landowner Interim Council, the five clans, and local veterans participated in the sessions alongside officials from the ABG Department of Mining and Petroleum and representatives from Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL), the ABG’s preferred development partner for the project.

Officials provided detailed briefings on the new legislation, outlining the special redevelopment pathway established for previously operating large-scale mines and the next steps required for implementation.

Attendees welcomed the amendments as a necessary framework to advance the redevelopment in an orderly and accelerated manner.

Key points of support included provisions that maintain protections for compensation, royalties, and environmental approvals, while also bolstering landowner participation through increased, non-dilutable equity ownership at no cost.

“The message from landowners and communities was clear,” President Toraoma said following the meetings.

“They support the new redevelopment framework, they support stronger landowner participation, and they want to see responsible redevelopment move forward in a practical and timely manner.”

A recurring theme throughout the consultations was the desire to move beyond years of discussion and towards tangible implementation.

Stakeholders expressed strong support for the partnership between BML and LMEL, urging rapid progress under the new legal framework.

The ABG has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all redevelopment activities comply with the law and deliver long-term benefits for the people of Bougainville.