THE Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL) company remains positive despite challenges to its mining activity, says general manager Mark Hitchcock.
In BCL’s latest six-monthly update to the Australian Stock Exchange, it confirmed it had remained active in Bougainville and totally committed to advancing the objective of resuming exploration and profitable and sustainable mining at Panguna.
Hitchcock said while the first half of the year had presented new challenges for the company, it remained optimistic about the future and continued to engage constructively in Bougainville.
“We are pleased to retain strong levels of support among the project area’s customary landowners and we continue to further build relationships with key stakeholders. This extends to supporting worthwhile community projects,” Hitchcock said.
He said relations with the Bougainville government (ABG) remained cordial and that BCL was working cooperatively with the government to advance some important community projects for health, education and sports.
“We are working very closely with the relevant ABG departments to ensure we are aligned with their programmes.”
Hitchcock said in recent months BCL had continued supporting a range of community activities, including Bougainville Day celebrations and the official opening of the Arawa District Hospital. It also partnered with Australian donors and Park Social Soccer to distribute footballs to elementary schools in the Panguna district.
“We will continue to work with the government and the community to deliver our planned activities over the coming months.”
BCL said that its director, Mel Togolo, accepted the board’s nomination as chairman back in Feb.
In June, Togolo was also awarded a knighthood in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to economic development, particularly in the mining and petroleum sectors and to the community.
Hitchcock described BCL’s financial position as strong, with no debt and sufficient funds to support its programmes ahead.
