Panguna landowners have expressed strong support for a new legislative framework aimed at advancing the redevelopment of the Panguna mine, following stakeholder consultations led by the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).
The consultations focused on the Bougainville Mining (Amendment) Act 2026 and the recent grant of Large-Scale Mining Lease No. 01 (LSML-01), which forms part of the government's strategy to revive one of the Pacific's most significant mining projects.
The engagement sessions were led by Bougainville President and Minister for Mining and Petroleum Ishmael Toroama and attended by members of the Central Parliamentary Committee, officials from the Department of Mining and Petroleum, representatives of the Panguna Landowner Interim Council, landowners from the area's five clans, veterans and representatives of Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL), the ABG's preferred development partner.
During the consultations, stakeholders received briefings on the amended mining legislation, the special redevelopment pathway established for previously operating large-scale mines, the grant of LSML-01 to Bougainville Minerals Limited (BML), and the next steps under the new framework.
According to the ABG, participants unanimously endorsed the amendments and the redevelopment pathway, describing the legislation as a practical mechanism for progressing the redevelopment of Panguna in an orderly, responsible and accelerated manner.
Stakeholders said the legislation preserves key safeguards relating to compensation, royalties, environmental approvals, community consultation and benefit-sharing arrangements. They also welcomed provisions designed to strengthen landowner participation through increased non-dilutable equity ownership at no cost.
Landowners noted that the amendments not only preserve existing rights and protections but also strengthen safeguards for communities expected to be affected by future mining operations.
The consultations also revealed broad support for the Bougainville Executive Council's decision to grant LSML-01 to Bougainville Minerals Limited and for the company's partnership with LMEL, which has been identified as the preferred development partner for the project.
A recurring theme during the discussions was the desire among landowners, veterans and community representatives to move beyond years of dialogue and begin implementation of the redevelopment programme.
Participants said redevelopment of the Panguna mine had been discussed for many years and expressed support for faster progress under the new legislative framework.
Toroama welcomed the response from stakeholders and thanked landowners, veterans, community leaders and members of the Panguna Landowner Interim Council for their participation.
"The message from landowners and communities was clear. They support the new redevelopment framework, they support stronger landowner participation and they want to see responsible redevelopment move forward in a practical and timely manner," he said.
The ABG reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that future redevelopment activities are carried out in accordance with the law and deliver long-term economic and social benefits for landowners, local communities and the people of Bougainville.
The Panguna mine, once among the world's largest copper and gold operations, remains central to Bougainville's economic development plans, with the government viewing its redevelopment as a key driver of future growth and revenue generation.
