BCL is firmly committed to backing every effort to forge public unity, confidence and trust with respect to the advancement of the Panguna project.
In this regard, our team, led by Managing Director and CEO, David Osikore, is delighted to be actively supporting the ABG’s inter-agency community engagement program in mine-affected communities, which appropriately commenced in Panguna on Monday with the involvement of President Ishmael Toroama. The first sessions were targeted to veterans and landowner communities, and then community government, who are all crucial stakeholders. Engagements were also then held in Guava village with stakeholders from Guava, Mosinau and Kokore villages.
A key focus of the sessions was to provide accurate, up-to-date information regarding the ABG’s decision to grant a five-year extension of BCL’s EL01 (exploration licence) and what this means going forward. The significant and broad economic potential of the project for Bougainville was also detailed. The engagements provided attendees with opportunities to openly express their own views and ideas.
The ABG emphasised the significance of building alliances and trust among key stakeholders, including community government, veterans, landowners, women and youth leaders, as well as church groups, who can all play an invaluable role in the provision of information to others across the community. The program further builds on the valued relationships the local BCL team has built within mine-affected communities over recent years.