@Freefall I can't comment about cabinet, but President Momis'...

@Freefall

I can't comment about cabinet, but President Momis' words, in the interview, are undeniable. I can't see how he can change them as they were unambigous & clear.

The press release was issued prior to the interview & included 'today' & 'under current circumstances'. These give context to 'untenable' & make the whole sentence open to interpretation as I am sure is the intention. It's political speak for 'we are hedging our bets'.

Every other quote is 100% clear & can only be interpreted in one way.

The full 'quotes' from the press release are here putting them in complete context.

'It is with much regret that the basic requirement for obtaining the landowners consent under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 could not be met'.

'Further to this, to develop the mine today by any other developer will be untenable under current circumstances'.

'Whilst imposing this moratorium over the Panguna project, MOMIS says that his government will continue to consult with the Panguna landowners and the people of Bougainville on an appropriate arrangement or best alternative models of development of the mine if the people still have an appetite to develop the mine in the future'.

By the way, this whole debate atm is about BCL & it's extension of lease application, not RTG. Nor really about govenment support. It is about the result of the Warden's Hearing on BCL's application. To wit, BCL failed to get Landowner support at the Warden's Hearing which is a fundemental tenent of the Mining Act. Their application must be rejected.

The consequences of that are that if it was rejected BCL cannot re-apply for 2 years & Central Me'ekamui JV application should be considered.