June 27, 2018
Bougainville Copper Limited, former operator of Panguna copper mine, declared this week it retains strong support in the project area despite critics saying otherwise.
In an email to the Post-Courier, BCL company secretary and corporate manager Mark Hitchcock refuted claims made by Philip Mairiori in regards to BCL’s stand on the Panguna mine reopening issue.
Mr Hitchcock asserted that Miriori’s views do not reflect the broader view of landowners.
“It’s disappointing that Mr Miriori continues to attack BCL through the position of chairman of SMLOLA as part of his ongoing campaign to undermine the company,” Mr Hitchcock said.
Mr Hitchcock also explained that the leadership of the association remains in dispute before the courts and these processes need to be respected.
He said the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (SMLOLA) has no role provided for by the Bougainville Mining
Act.
“The representatives of Panguna’s customary landowners have on repeated occasions released public statements advising that Mr Miriori does not speak on their behalf and should desist from claiming to do so,” he
said.
“It should also be noted that BCL is fully respectful of the ongoing peace process and through its engagement seeks to promote unity not undermine it.
“The people of Bougainville have a major ownership stake in the BCL of today and as a company we take that responsibility very seriously and we persist for all the right reasons,” Mr Hitchcock said.
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