RTG best placed to develop Panguna, page-19

Legality has nothing to do with it. If I am developing a project (even at the scoping stage) I start to identify the project risks. Not getting the approval of eight landowner groups, including the one covering the only port, would be high on the list and I would take action start to lower the risk rating - like having a friendly chat to them before finding out at the BFS stage that they have numerous objections etc. But that's just my view. You are entitled to your's.