Bougainville

The president of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville says recent flare-ups of gun-related violence are unacceptable.

Bougainville's Minister for the Implementation of Independence Ezekiel Masatt said the work of the moderator must end before the writs are issued for the Bougainville elections.

Bougainville Minister of Police John Bosco Ragu said a four-person gang had targeted prominent local export company, Sankamap Ltd, as staff arrived to complete their banking.

The people of the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville will head to the polls in September.

Papua New Guinea's leader James Marape said "economic independence" is key to grow Bougainville's economy and its aspirations for sovereignty.

Speaking this week at the PNG Investment Week Conference in Sydney, Ishmael Toroama called for investors to embrace the region.

Island Passage Exploration is exploring 261 square kilometres in the Crown Prince Range in Central Bougainville, only nine kilometres southeast of Panguna mine.

Theonila Roka Matbob says the report into the environmental and human rights legacy of the Panguna mine gives her satisfaction.

Communities living with the ongoing devastation from Panguna mine are calling on Rio Tinto to commit to funding remediation and addressing public safety risks.

Island Passage Exploration (IPX) says it is beginning phase four of an exploration programme at Isina in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville.

The mine, shut down 35 years ago, is seen by the Bougainville government as the best way to develop a viable economy as it eyes independence.

Sir Jerry was appointed as the moderator for the Bougainville independence consultations in September. He will be in Bougainville from 25 to 29 November.

Journalist Patrick Winn, writing for The World website, reported that Toroama wants the support of Washington and has offered Bougainville as a site for an American military base.

The mine in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region was the catalyst for the nearly ten-year long civil war through the 1990s.

Ezekiel Masatt said a joint understanding has been reached with Papua New Guinea to broaden the role of the recently appointed independent moderator.

This comes after the release of draft results of an investigation into the damage has confirmed what many people have been saying for years.

President Ishmael Toroama said the plans represent Bougainville's continued progress towards realising the dreams of past generations.