22 Nov 2019

Panguna mine seen as key to Bougainville independence

From , 5:06 am on 22 November 2019

As Bougainville nears its self-determination referendum, the mine that sparked its bloody civil war is seen as the key to potential independence from Papua New Guinea.

Bougainville's Panguna copper mine was the major revenue earner for the PNG state in its early decades of independence.

But it's been mothballed since the Bougainville crisis broke out three decades ago over a range of social and environmental grievances related to the mine.

It's been estimated as many as 15,000 people died.

Johnny Blades paid a visit to Panguna.

Nature has gradually reclaimed the massive open pit of Bougainville Copper Limited's former lucrative mine.

Nature has gradually reclaimed the massive open pit of Bougainville Copper Limited's former lucrative mine. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Johnny Blades