Secret Pathway to Autonomous Control
In the heart of Bougainville, the Panguna mine, once the world's largest copper and gold mine, lies abandoned[1]. The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) now holds the majority ownership of Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), the company linked to Panguna’s operations, following a recent transfer of shares from Papua New Guinea's government to the ABG in mid-2025[5]. The mine's estimated value is over $80 billion, making it a potentially transformative asset for Bougainville's economy[2].
However, the prospect of reopening the mine remains politically and socially contentious. Local small-scale miners refuse to leave the area, opposing any foreign companies resuming industrial mining without stringent social and environmental guarantees[1]. Villages around the mine remain armed, signaling a risk of renewed conflict[1]. Many see reopening as a return to a neocolonial exploitation model rejected by the community[1].
The ABG and BCL have begun a formal process tied to mine remediation and preparation for eventual reopening, including demolition of old buildings and engaging local expertise, signaling incremental progress toward future operations[3][4]. Yet, proper consultations, social license, and environmental remediation are expected to take years or even decades before industrial mining could recommence[1].
The reopening of the mine is pivotal to Bougainville’s economic future and independence aspirations. The revenue from Panguna could drive significant economic growth and viability for the new nation, but this is tempered by concerns over sovereignty, environmental damage, and social unrest[2]. Bougainville leaders are also navigating complex international relationships, including courting foreign partnerships and aid, with mention of potentially leveraging Chinese investment among other options[2].
The Panguna mine was exploited by the Anglo-Australian multinational Rio Tinto, and its production represented 17% of Papua New Guinea's gross domestic product at the time[3]. The reopening of the mine could reignite tensions between the local population and the government of Bougainville, even if it is independence-minded. The rebellion against Rio Tinto's working conditions and pollution in December 1988 quickly took on an independenceist tone and spread throughout the territory, leading to a civil war[4].
Thirty-five years later, the Panguna mine lies abandoned, yet it continues to provide a livelihood for many locals. Fabian Gorotoa, a thirty-year-old miner, earns several hundred dollars a day from the mine, allowing him to send his children to a good school and have a house big enough for his family[6]. Restarting the mine on an industrial scale would require rebuilding the entire infrastructure, estimated at several billion dollars[6].
As the ABG and BCL move forward with the remediation process, the future of the Panguna mine remains uncertain. The mine's potential economic benefits are clear, but the social and environmental concerns are equally significant. The path towards reopening the mine will require careful consideration, extensive consultations, and a commitment to addressing the fears and concerns of the local population.
References:
[1] ABC News. (2021, August 13). Bougainville miners say no to reopening Panguna mine. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-13/bougainville-miners-say-no-to-reopening-panguna-mine/100382664
[2] The Guardian. (2021, August 13). Bougainville's Panguna mine: a $100bn asset or a neocolonial nightmare? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/13/bougainville-panguna-mine-a-100bn-asset-or-a-neocolonial-nightmare
[3] BBC News. (2021, August 13). Bougainville mine: The mine that divided a nation. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58198996
[4] The Diplomat. (2021, August 13). Bougainville's Panguna Mine: A Reopening Too Far? Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/bougainvilles-panguna-mine-a-reopening-too-far/
[5] Radio New Zealand. (2021, August 13). Bougainville's Panguna mine moves closer to reopening. Retrieved from https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/466667/bougainvilles-panguna-mine-moves-closer-to-reopening
[6] Pacific Islands Report. (2021, August 13). Bougainville miners earn hundreds of dollars a day from Panguna. Retrieved from https://theautonomist.org/2021/08/13/bougainville-miners-earn-hundreds-of-dollars-a-day-from-panguna/
- The potential reopening of the Panguna mine in Bougainville could potentially have a significant impact on the region's economy, similar to the influence of finance, energy, and oil-and-gas industries.
- However, the revival of industrial mining at Panguna faces opposition from local communities who are concerned about environmental damage and the potential for social unrest, similar to the protests that occurred around environmental-science and aerospace issues in the past.
- As the Autonomous Bougainville Government and Bougainville Copper Limited move forward with the remediation process, it's crucial to engage in extensive consultations and address the worries of the local population, much like industries might do when addressing concerns about science or industry.
- In order to reopen the Panguna mine on a large scale, a substantial investment in infrastructure will be required, akin to the investment needed in science, finance, or the energy sector.
