ABG President and Minister for Mining Ishmael Toroama outlined key legislative reforms to strengthen governance of the mining sector during his address to Parliament.
The reforms form part of the ABG’s broader efforts to ensure that resource development in Bougainville is undertaken in a safe, responsible and internationally compliant manner, while supporting long-term economic development and independence aspirations.
In this context, the Bougainville Parliament recently passed the Bougainville Mining (Gold Production Levy Amendment) Act 2025, formalising the taxation of gold production and strengthening revenue mobilisation.
“The Government continues to strengthen the legislative framework governing the mining sector,” he said.
“Key developments include the passage of the Bougainville Mining (Gold Production Levy Amendment) Act 2025, which formalises taxation of gold production and strengthens revenue mobilisation.”
President Toroama said relevant agencies — including the Department of Mining and Petroleum, the Department of Law and Justice, the Bougainville Tax Office, and the Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Development — are now working collaboratively to develop an implementation framework. This will enable the initial collection of the gold levy within the year.
In parallel, the President informed the House that a comprehensive review of the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 is under way to strengthen regulatory control and address implementation gaps.
“There is also an ongoing comprehensive review of the Bougainville Mining Act 2015, covering approximately 70 sections, including new provisions to address implementation gaps and strengthen regulatory control. Drafting instructions have been completed and endorsed by BEC for region-wide stakeholder consultations, expected in the third quarter of 2026 prior to finalisation of amendments.”
Further legislative work is progressing under the Panguna redevelopment framework to support the sector.
“In addition, under the Panguna redevelopment framework, work is progressing on priority legislation to support the sector, including mining safety and occupational health frameworks, environmental protection laws, and land and regulatory reforms.”
“These reforms will ensure that mining in Bougainville is undertaken in a safe, responsible and internationally compliant manner, consistent with our national development and independence objectives.”
