Panguna parties sign Memorandum of Understanding to address mine impacts
18 Noviembre 2024 - 6:06PM
Business Wire
Rio Tinto, Bougainville Copper Limited and the Autonomous
Bougainville Government (ABG) have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to form a Roundtable to address the findings of
the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment (PMLIA).
The independent PMLIA is based on two years of data collection
overseen by an Oversight Committee that includes representatives
from local communities and both Government of Papua New Guinea and
ABG officials. Engineering firm Tetra Tech Coffey, which conducted
the study and reported to an independent secretariat, presented the
findings to Panguna communities in October 2024. The PMLIA Report
is expected to be published later this month.
Under the MoU, the Roundtable parties will work together,
consult with impacted communities, and establish a process to agree
on how to remedy actual and potential impacts identified in the
PMLIA.
It is intended this will include establishing an effective
remedy mechanism that is aligned with the United Nations Guiding
Principles on Business and Human Rights.
In parallel, the Roundtable parties will continue with work on
ageing infrastructure and other priorities already identified
through the PMLIA process.
President of Bougainville Ishmael Toroama said: “The PMLIA has
been an important initiative for the ABG and for impacted
communities. Rio Tinto and BCL should be commended for stepping up
and supporting the assessment, as well as the clan representatives
on the Oversight Committee who have been a vital bridge to their
communities throughout the process.
“We are now looking beyond these results to working in concert
with the MoU partners to address the legacy environmental
impacts.”
BCL Chairman Sir Mel Togolo said: “This is a positive step
forward for the communities in the assessment area. Building better
understanding to help address the legacy issues is very important
and a key focus of the assessment.
“There is a lot to be done and cooperation between the parties
is an essential element of success. We look forward to coordinating
with the MoU parties and impacted communities on priorities and
next steps.”
Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker said: “Our
focus in Bougainville is on meaningful engagement and long-term
solutions. Since 2021, we've committed to the independent Legacy
Impact Assessment process with local stakeholders, which for the
first time in decades will provide objective data on environmental
and associated human rights impacts from the Panguna mine since it
ceased operations due to civil war.
“We will work with the Roundtable parties and consult with local
communities on a response plan to address identified impacts. Rio
Tinto’s support for this MoU reinforces our genuine commitment to
working respectfully and collaboratively on this important
issue."
Further information
The independent assessment of the legacy impacts of the Panguna
Mine on Bougainville commenced in 2022.
The Legacy Impact Assessment’s objective is to identify and
assess the actual and potential environmental impacts caused by the
Panguna mine since mining ceased in 1989. It will also identify and
assess the social and human rights impacts that are directly
connected to these environmental impacts and develop
recommendations to address or mitigate these impacts.
The independent assessment was overseen by an Oversight
Committee that included representatives from local communities, the
Government of Papua New Guinea, the Autonomous Bougainville
Government, Bougainville Copper Limited, Rio Tinto and the Human
Rights Law Centre.
In August 2024, Rio Tinto, ABG and BCL signed a Memorandum of
Understanding to address concerns around future risks of ageing
infrastructure as identified by Tetra Tech Coffey. The primary
objectives are to mitigate potential hazards and improve community
safety. To achieve these goals, the parties have scheduled work on
these structures to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024.
In conjunction with the Legacy Impact Assessment and efforts to
address ageing infrastructure, Rio Tinto is supporting a water and
sanitation project in Central Bougainville, in cooperation with the
Autonomous Bougainville Government.
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