A leading environmental and human rights firm will be tasked to carry out an impact assessment on the Panguna Mine and its surrounding communities.
This was discussed in the second meeting of the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Committee held recently in Ioro in the Panguna area of Central Bougainville.
The committee, made up of representatives from various clans in Panguna including the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and mining company Rio Tinto met to discuss a way forward in assessing the environment and human rights impacts and damages associated with the now defunct Panguna Mine.
Following an agreement made in the 1st meeting, a draft assessment report was presented to provide vital information to the impacted communities for the main impact assessment to begin.
“Throughout this process engaging well and informing our community members will be critical for the impact assessment,” said Paramount Chief Blaise Iruinu.
Currently the impact assessment is in a tender process where a firm will be selected to undertake this process within an 18-month period. An independent fund management system is also in place to enable a transparent contracting and payment of the selected contractor.
With discussion being made on the possibility of reopening the Panguna Mine, the legacy committee has agreed to keep the ABG informed on the progress of the impact assessment.
The assessment is planned to start in July.
Meanwhile A 3rd meeting of the committee will be held in May with representatives from Rio Tinto.
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