Bougainville Landowners Sign Deal For Planned Mine Exploration

Monday, 24 March 2025, 8:24 pm
Article: RNZ

A Land Access and Compensation Agreement (LACA) has been signed by traditional landowners in North Bougainville for a planned mine exploration site.

More than 250 landowners from eight clans in the Taonita-Teop areas covered by exploration licence EL08, and the company Bougainville Minerals Investment (BMI), signed the deal last Thursday (20 March).

The agreement is a requirement for the exploration licence.

It requires the licence holder to sign such an agreement with landowners before entering the land where they want to explore.

A former Bougainville MP and a local paramount chief Joe Pais said it is important for resource owners to free up their lands so the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) can progress important projects.

He said that the timeline for Bougainville's independence is not far off, and Bougainvilleans need to be serious about helping the government.

BMI owner and managing director Paul Rya said that groundwork was underway for construction of offices and accommodation for employees who will be based at the Yokomori Camp Site.

He assured the landowners that the company is committed to providing as much spin-off benefit as possible during their tenure by localising all of its activities in Taonita-Teop.

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