Rio Tinto, Bouganville, ABG Form Roundtable to Address Panguna Mine Legacy
Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024 7:20 pm ET
2min read In a significant step towards addressing the historical impacts of mining activities, Rio Tinto, Bougainville Copper Ltd. (BCL), and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a roundtable. The primary objective of this collaboration is to address the legacy impacts of the Panguna mine, which operated in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, for nearly two decades before being forced to shut down in 1989.
The Panguna mine, once the world's largest open-pit copper-gold mine, contributed to the prosperity of Rio Tinto and Papua New Guinea's independence from Australia in 1975. However, its closure in 1989 was a result of fierce protests over the disbursement of mine revenue, which eventually led to a decade-long civil war that claimed nearly 20,000 lives. Local residents have since accused Rio Tinto and BCL of historical mismanagement, alleging that the mine's operations poisoned the entire length of the Jaba River and caused health problems for as many as 12,000 people in the area.
Under the MOU signed on Tuesday, the three parties will work together to consult with impacted communities and establish a process to agree on how to remedy actual and potential impacts identified in the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment (PMLIA). The PMLIA, due later this month, will provide objective data on environmental and associated human rights impacts from the Panguna mine since it ceased operations. This assessment will be based on two years of data collection, overseen by an oversight committee that includes representatives from local communities and government officials.
The roundtable will aim to establish an effective remedy mechanism that is aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This inclusive approach will ensure that the voices and concerns of local communities are adequately represented and addressed throughout the process. The parties involved will also continue with work on ageing infrastructure and other priorities already identified through the PMLIA process.
The PMLIA is expected to address historical mismanagement allegations by providing objective data on environmental and associated human rights impacts from the Panguna mine. Specific environmental remediation strategies proposed to address the legacy impacts may include waste management, water quality improvement, soil remediation, and biodiversity restoration. These strategies will be aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ensuring that the remediation process respects the rights and interests of affected communities.
The roundtable process will facilitate meaningful consultation with local communities, particularly those most affected by the legacy impacts of the Panguna mine. This will be achieved through direct engagement with impacted communities, establishing an effective remedy mechanism aligned with the UNGPs, and including local representatives in the oversight committee for the PMLIA.
In conclusion, the formation of the roundtable by Rio Tinto, BCL, and the ABG is a positive step towards addressing the historical impacts of the Panguna mine. By working together, consulting with impacted communities, and establishing a process to remedy identified impacts, the parties involved aim to address the legacy issues and foster a more sustainable future for Bougainville. The PMLIA, due later this month, will provide the foundation for this collaborative effort, ensuring that the remediation process is objective, inclusive, and aligned with international human rights principles.
The Panguna mine, once the world's largest open-pit copper-gold mine, contributed to the prosperity of Rio Tinto and Papua New Guinea's independence from Australia in 1975. However, its closure in 1989 was a result of fierce protests over the disbursement of mine revenue, which eventually led to a decade-long civil war that claimed nearly 20,000 lives. Local residents have since accused Rio Tinto and BCL of historical mismanagement, alleging that the mine's operations poisoned the entire length of the Jaba River and caused health problems for as many as 12,000 people in the area.
Under the MOU signed on Tuesday, the three parties will work together to consult with impacted communities and establish a process to agree on how to remedy actual and potential impacts identified in the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment (PMLIA). The PMLIA, due later this month, will provide objective data on environmental and associated human rights impacts from the Panguna mine since it ceased operations. This assessment will be based on two years of data collection, overseen by an oversight committee that includes representatives from local communities and government officials.
The roundtable will aim to establish an effective remedy mechanism that is aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This inclusive approach will ensure that the voices and concerns of local communities are adequately represented and addressed throughout the process. The parties involved will also continue with work on ageing infrastructure and other priorities already identified through the PMLIA process.
The PMLIA is expected to address historical mismanagement allegations by providing objective data on environmental and associated human rights impacts from the Panguna mine. Specific environmental remediation strategies proposed to address the legacy impacts may include waste management, water quality improvement, soil remediation, and biodiversity restoration. These strategies will be aligned with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, ensuring that the remediation process respects the rights and interests of affected communities.
The roundtable process will facilitate meaningful consultation with local communities, particularly those most affected by the legacy impacts of the Panguna mine. This will be achieved through direct engagement with impacted communities, establishing an effective remedy mechanism aligned with the UNGPs, and including local representatives in the oversight committee for the PMLIA.
In conclusion, the formation of the roundtable by Rio Tinto, BCL, and the ABG is a positive step towards addressing the historical impacts of the Panguna mine. By working together, consulting with impacted communities, and establishing a process to remedy identified impacts, the parties involved aim to address the legacy issues and foster a more sustainable future for Bougainville. The PMLIA, due later this month, will provide the foundation for this collaborative effort, ensuring that the remediation process is objective, inclusive, and aligned with international human rights principles.
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