Moves to re-open the Rio Tinto-owned Panguna copper mine in Bougainville are a step closer after a rebel leader said he was willing to negotiate with the Australian government and Rio Tinto on it.Original Mekamui leader Chris Uma said he was willing to talk to the Australian government and Rio Tinto about re-opening the mine.
His group had controlled access to the mine site over the past two decades since a civil war shut it down. Uma said any negotiations must recognise the original Mekamui’s interests and respond to past conflict.
The statement comes after Uma allowed Australian diplomats access to the mine site for the first time since 1990. Uma said he granted that access to show the world that he was now talking with the Australian government.
Source: The National Newspaper, 16th August 2011