Landowner Resistance Intensifies as Panguna Mine Redevelopment Gains Momentum

Landowners at the Panguna mine area have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Bougainville Copper Limited and Lloyds Metals to cease "unauthorised" redevelopment activities.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 5:58 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The 24-Hour Ultimatum and "Unauthorised Entry"

The public warning, issued on April 30, 2026, targets Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) and the Indian firm Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. The landowners have demanded the immediate removal of all personnel and heavy machinery, including excavators and trucks, from the Panguna mine area within 24 hours. The group asserts that the current activities constitute "unauthorised entry" and has threatened to take further action under indigenous ownership rights and regional legislation if the companies do not comply.

Strategic Rationale for Redevelopment

The ABG is pushing for the mine’s reopening as a cornerstone of its strategy for economic self-reliance. This financial independence is seen as a prerequisite for Bougainville’s goal of total independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG). With the PNG Parliament expected to decide on the ratification of the 2019 independence referendum later this year, the ABG has accelerated partnerships to tap into Panguna’s massive copper reserves, which remain one of the largest in the world.

Disputed Consultations and "Secretive" Deals

The conflict highlights a significant disconnect between government officials and community leaders: