In September 2020, 156 people from communities impacted by the forer Panguna mine, represented by the Human Rights Law Centre, lodged a human rights complaint with the Australian Government’s National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (AusNCP) against Rio Tinto.
One of three requests in the Complaint is for Rio Tinto to fund an independent environmental and human rights impact assessment (Impact Assessment) of the mine site by a team of qualified local and international experts to map impacts – in particular those posing serious risks to public health and safety – and to develop recommendations to address these. Rio Tinto has accepted the request and will predominantly fund the Impact Assessment, with Bougainville Copper Limited also contributing, through a separate funding company with independent directors.
This is the website of the Secretariat for the Oversight Committee which is tasked to make sure the Impact Assessment is done in a way that is supported by the majority of stakeholders and that the broader community has trust in the process.
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The Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment will be carried out by an independent third-party company (or consortium), unrelated to Rio Tinto or BCL, with strong environmental and human rights expertise and will involve local and international experts. It will be overseen by the multi-stakeholder Oversight Committee which is supported by an Independent Facilitator and Secretariat
Preparatory phase: Desktop review of available literature on mine & impacts and satellite imagery (now completed).
The preparatory phase report identified two areas of concern to be fast tracked ahead of the impact assessment:
● Potential collapse of a tailings levee
● Potential flooding
To better understand these risks and potential impacts, these areas have been prioritised for a rapid risk assessment through a process led by the Autonomous Bougainville Government with the support of Rio Tinto and the Human Rights Law Centre.
A team of environmental consultants from Tetra Tech Coffey will undertake this assessment on the ground in August and September 2022
Phase 1: Focus on the most high-risk impacts:
Unstable infrastructure (pit, levees etc.), erosion of waste into rivers & flooding downstream
Identifying problems with access to clean water for drinking & bathing
Identifying potentially affected communities
Phase 2: Focus on environmental, social & human rights issues requiring further analysis after Phase 1.
| # | Name | Designation | Organisation | Representing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angela Kavarui | President | Panguna Womens Federation | Women |
| 2 | Theresea Jaintong | Chairperson | Siokate Landowners Association | Landowners |
| 3 | Michael Pariu | Paramount Chief | Basikang Clan | Landowners |
| 4 | Gregory Dora | Paramount Chief | Kurabang Clan | Landowners |
| 5 | Blaise Iruinu | Paramount Chief | Barapang Clan | Landowners |
| 6 | Bernadine Kira | Chairperson | Lower Tailings Landowner’s Association | Landowners |
| 7 | Peter Tauna | Member | Basikang Clan | Landowners |
| 8 | Bonaventure Kenulei | Coordinator for Listening Project/ Landowner | Catholic Church and Maile area (Lower Tailings) | Church and Landowners |
| 9 | Philip Ken | Representative | Bakorinku Clan | Landowners |
| 10 | ||||
| 11 | Keren Adams | Director | Human Rights Law Centre | Human Rights |
| 12 | Sir Mel Togolo | Director | Bougainville Copper Limited | BCL |
| 13 | Hon. Peter Tsiamalili | Regional Member for Bougainville | Government of PNG | GoPNG |
| 14 | Hon. Geraldine Paul | Minister - Primary Industries & Marine Resources | ABG | ABG |
| 15 | Dr Naihuwo Ahai | Director | Bougainville Strategic Research, Planning & Monitoring Secretariat | ABG |
| 16 | Hon. Theonila Roka Matbob | Lead Complainant & Member for Ioro | ABG | Communities |
| 17 | Lohial Nuau | Representative | Uruava Landowners Association | Block owners |
| 18 | Esther Usurup | Deputy Chief Secretary – Operations | ABG | ABG |
| 19 | Martin Brash | Independent Facilitator | Tanorama | All parties |
Bonaventure role as Coordinator to the Panguna Listening Project implemented by the Bougainville Diocese led him into the assessment process. A strong advocate for his people through his work, Bonaventure has been involved in the publication of "We are crying for our Land", a collection of stories from people in the mine impact areas. He was also part of a team that took soil samples all throughout the impact areas.
Theresa brings to the Oversight Committee a wealth of experience and knowledge. She is also the Chairlady to the North Nasioi Community Government and currently holds membership to a number of regional and national boards. Theresa was also instrumental in maintaining peace and protecting civilians during the conflict, and in many cases; put her own life at risk to save the lives of others. Theresa is from the Arawa Urban area.
Theonila is the primary complainant who pushed for the establishment of this process. Prior to entering politics, she founded and continues to manage a leading education and counselling centre in her area. She has held roles in the government and private sector, mainly in research, management, and designing plans. She is also member to regional and international movements that promote the protection and preservation of land, environment, and culture.
Dr. Ahai sits in the Oversight Committee as the representative from the ABG President’s Office. He has wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise on Bougainville issues, having played major roles in peace building and other important works on Bougainville and PNG as well. He has held several consultative and advisory roles to both private and government agencies.
Michael stands in as the paramount to Basikang Clan. He holds numerous roles, mainly with Bougainville Copper Limited. Currently he is the Chairman of the Panguna Development Limited, a company that aims to support landowners in the mine affected areas. Michael is from Enamira.
Bernadine is a principle landowner and key leader in the lower tailings area. Together with Bonaventure Kenulei, both have been working to find ways to help their people especially when vast areas of their land is being flooded by the Jaba river diversions. Bernadine is a strong advocate for her people’s rights to have adequate access to basic necessities like clean drinking water, arable land for gardens and preservation of forests that are dying due to vegetation die back caused by the Jaba river diversions. Bernadine has the support of a large group of people.
Blaise is a Mekamui strongman and a committed member in the process. He continues to provide oversight and advise to the process both formal and informally. His prior role in the Mekamui faction Government, a body loyal to Late Francis Ona and the ideas of the revolution, generally broadens the scope of representation apart from Blaise's role as paramount chief.
Peter is from Kokore Village overlooking the Panguna Mine area. He is also a former BRA combatant and currently the Panguna Police Station Commander. His role in the Oversight Committee is important as he is from the impacted area of the Panguna Mine and holds an important role as a leader in his clan.
Angela has been playing many active roles representing her communities in the SML, particularly Dapera and the area she currently resides. She was also involved in the Panguna Listening Project and other research activities regarding her area and people. Angela sits in the Oversight Committee as representative for Women.
Gregory is from Dapera inside the Special Mining Lease area of Panguna. Gregory was born in the original Dapera village just before it was covered by mine operations. Gregory is also an ex-combatant and a strong leader in his community. He now resides in the Parakake area down the Port Mine Access Road.
Ken comes from Toku and currently resides at the former Jaba Pump Station in the Middle Tailings in Ioro 2. Ken is a strong voice for his people in and around the Middle Tailings, which his former village of Toku does not exist anymore, as it was washed away by tailings before being covered by levies built by the mine. The residents of Toku have moved further down towards the higher grounds of Totaku and across Jaba at Rerevai.
Lohial represents the Uruava Landowners Association in the East Coast of Eivo-Torau. Lohial has a wealth of experience in the extractive industry having served as a senior public servant in the PNG Petroleum & Energy Department. He currently runs his own business and resides at the former Aquatic Campsite along the Loloho Access road. His inclusion in the Oversight Committee covers the locations under the Uruava Landowners Association.
Geraldine sits in the Oversight Committee as the representative for ABG in the process. She is from the Kongara area which is connected to Ioro via the mountains. Geraldine has played very significant roles in the development of the agriculture industry on Bougainville before entering politics. Hon. Paul has been working closely as an important stakeholder for her people in the Legacy Impact Assessment process.
TBC
● Complainants – Tailings communities
● The wider community in ARoB and PNG
● Human Rights Law Centre
● ABG
● GoPNG
● BCL
● Rio Tinto
● International partners and observers
● Independent Facilitator
● Oversight Committee
● Technical Sub-Committee
● Secretariat
● Independent Funding Company
● Primary Contractor
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