Panguna Metals

Website: http://www.panguna-metals.com

Panguna Metals Limited was set up in conjunction with landowners at Panguna, to remove and dispose of the scrap buildings and equipment left over by the mining operations which were abandoned in 1990 as a result of the conflict.

In 2009, landowners, in collaboration with BCL (Bougainville Copper Limited) and the ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government) obtained full backing and support to establish Panguna Metals Limited for the purpose of removing the scrap as part of the reconciliation process on the island. The work to remove the scrap will promote positive sentiment among local residents by creating employment and at the same time clearing up the mine area that has a controversial local history.

Activity Photographs

Section of Tertiary Crusher

Electric Shovel 9

A D9 Caterpillar Dozer

One of the Ball Mills at the Concentrator

Transporting this scrap metals to the Loloho wharf involves large trucks, mostly carriers brought into Bougainville from America.

Transporting scrap to Loloho for shipment (Photo: postcourier.com.pg)

Actual shipment from Loloho to Asian markets. Large ships arrive regular on Bougainville's Loloho port to carry away these tonnes of scrap metal.

Off-loading at Loloho

Scrap Carrier loading

Carrier loading

Carrier ready to head off to Asia

LEONARD FONG ROKA comments:

Scrap is leaving Bougainville to Asian destinations. I know money is coming back and Bougainville is getting little from tax Panguna Metals Ltd pays to the Internal Revenue Commission.

But as I see it, the most benefiting persons in the operation are the few big-man of Central Bougainville who provide security to this operations and the company bosses.

As planned before, a framework of equal benefit sharing was proposed and set on paper. Til today, that has not being realised by the people and groups put in place as stakeholders.

The CoEs are yet to feel that impact.

Furthermore, the whole island of Bougainville and its people suffered from the crisis that began in the 1960s but we in Panguna, added the right fuel to in 1989 and turned it into an inferno. So, Bougainville must have the say in what Panguna is doing.

It is easy to plan but hard to reach those plans. So, don't use people to work your individual pockets grow.

All Photo Rights @Panguna-metals.com