Kearnneth Nanei

Kearnneth Nanei was appointed to the BCL board in November 2021 and appointed chairman in March 2026.

He is a highly regarded legal professional graduating from the University of Papua New Guinea, commencing his career in private practice before his appointment as Secretary and Principal Legal Adviser for the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Justice and Legal Services in 2010.

Mr Nanei had extensive involvement in the development of the Bougainville Mining Act 2015, inclusive of community consultations, membership of technical working groups, and advising the mining minister and the ABG executive council. He has also advised the government on autonomy arrangements and preparations and is a current member of the ABG and PNG national government Joint Supervisory Body technical team, the Bougainville Referendum Committee and the Bougainville Mining Advisory Council. He is also a director of Bougainville Minerals Limited and the Bougainville Public Investment Corporation.