The Bougainville Government is moving forward with plans to reopen the controversial Panguna mine, which could generate significant revenue but raises concerns over transparency.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government has recently signed a deal to facilitate the reopening of the Panguna mine, a large gold and copper mine that was central to a brutal civil war in the late 20th century. The civil war, which lasted from 1988 to 1998, resulted in an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 deaths and significantly affected the local community and environment. Although the mine has been dormant for over three decades, its reopening is expected to potentially generate up to $40 billion, which could support Bougainville's push for independence from Papua New Guinea.
