The abrupt shut-down of the Panguna mine in 1989 and its closure during the subsequent period of conflict on Bougainville meant there was no opportunity to implement plans for its formal closure.
BCL is committed to undertaking appropriate remediation and rehabilitation studies and implementing environmental programs regardless of the future operation of the Panguna mine.
Areas to be examined are the potential rehabilitation of the historical tailings deposits that remain in the Jaba River Basin and other legacy issues relating to the premature closure of the mine.
Environmental studies are required before remediation can take place at Panguna and other mine affected areas. The studies will gather new information and examine historical data to determine levels of degradation and recovery strategies.
The scoping of the studies will be agreed by the Joint Panguna Negotiation Coordination Committee (JPNCC) and will require access to the area for the experts that are engaged.
The JPNCC comprises representatives of landowners in mine affected areas, the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the Government of Papua New Guinea and BCL.