http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080527/tuhome.htm"We will make our stand known very soon and that will be to start exploration throughout Bougainville.” ;-)))))))))
ABG to license explorers
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is getting frustrated with the continued delay in the process to draw down powers including those of mining, petroleum and gas.
Mining Minister Mathias Salas said yesterday that there had been no progress since the last Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting in Alotau, Milne Bay Province.
“We are very disappointed as no progress is being made on the draw down of powers,” Mr Salas said.
“The JSB meeting is to co-ordinate and facilitate Bougainville’s endeavours and not to suppress it.
“We will make our stand known very soon and that will be to start exploration throughout Bougainville.”
He said with the exception of the Panguna area, all other areas of Bougainville would see local landowner companies being granted licences by the ABG to carry out exploration.
Mr Salas said the issuing of exploration licences would be totally different from how it is conducted in Papua New Guinea as the landowners of resources would be given the licences while Bougainville Resources Development Corporation (BRDC) would be providing technical and financial support to the incorporated landowner groups.
“BRDC will assist in terms of financing the incorporated landowner groups as well as providing technical expertise such as geologists,” Mr Salas said.
“We will introduce legislation that will be a platform on addressing exploration on Bougainville.”
He said that would be made known to the PNG Government soon as the delay in drawdown of powers had hit a brick wall.
Mr Salas said through this initiative the people of Bougainville would be empowered which in turn would put money in their pockets.
“The people of Bougainville will be the only ones applying for exploration licences and any company will go into joint venture with the licence holders,” he said.
“In the event that exploration is successful, the company must give 15 per cent interest free carried to the landowners.”
The establishment of the Mineral Resources Authority does not affect Bougainville and concerned Papua New Guinean resource owners should look into the MRA Act, he said.