Chairman of the Special Mining Lease-Osikaiyang Landowners Association of Panguna Mine, Philip Miriori said the landowner’s decisions should be respected.
Mr Miriori has been very vocal working with local landowners who are opposing the return of BCL into Panguna.
He said any matter relating to mining must go through the Autonomous Bougainville Government and not the National Government.
Mr Miriori has been working closely with Panguna Mine landowners and impacted areas, making their stand clear, that BCL is not welcomed.
The leadership dispute over chairmanship of the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association, between himself and Lawrence Daveona, he said is wasting everyone’s time.
They must unite and develop an agreed strategy to move forward and engage the Autonomous Bougainville Government on the exploration license issue.
He said they have invested great time and effort in the mediation process to openly discuss issues on the chairmanship appointment.
Since this has not worked out, Miriori believes, the last option is to seek the courts clarification.
Meanwhile, a reconciliation committee is committed to work with Daveona and Miriori in a concerted effort to resolve this issue, over the chairmanship role.
