Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) has appointed Mr. Johnny Patterson Auna as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Auna is a highly regarded executive with more than thirty years' experience in finance and accounting, strategic planning, senior management and cooperate operations in both private and public sectors in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia. Auna, who hails from Laguai Village, Buin in South Bougainville, also served on several boards as both a director and chairman and is a certified practicing accountant who holds several qualifications, including a Bachelor of Business in Accountancy from Deakin University in Australia. His appointment follows a proud family legacy with his late father Joseph Lawrence Auna, serving as BCL’s first General Manager in PNG and in Bougainville, heading up to its Personnel Service Division in 1989. Auna said that he was honored and privileged to be given the opportunity to lead the new BCL management team as CEO and thanked the board for having confidence in him. He also expressed gratitude and appreciation towards BCL management team and board, expressing this role as a once in a lifetime opportunity. “I consider this to be a once in a lifetime opportunity given the significance of where things sit with BCL as a Bougainvillean company and the ABG’s plans and negotiations for independence with the National Government.” “The redevelopment of the Panguna mine is a key impact project that Bougainville needs to ramp up its economy and act as a catalyst for further economic development for Bougainville, its people and all stakeholders.” Prior to joining BCL, Auna served as Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG). During his career, he also served as a Managing Director, General Manager, CEO, accountant, business consultant and a commodity trader. In February 2024, the company was granted a five-year extension of its EL01 exploration license in the Panguna mine project area and with that, Auna takes on the CEO role at a pivotal time for BCL as the company moves to a more active operational phase. “The granting of EL01 by the ABG and signing of a Land Access and Compensation Agreement with landowners in 2024 lays the groundwork for the redevelopment of the Panguna mine to commence.” As a brownfield project, work will be completed this year on landowner identification studies and social mapping as well as modelling and pre- feasibility studies, using existing intellectual property resource data. Lines of communication are also being opened with potential project development partners and operational structures and funding arrangements will also be explored. “I look forward to working with all BCL stakeholders as the new CEO to ensure that Panguna’s redevelopment is implemented in an environment, social and commercially responsible and viable manner.” Auna joined BCL in March 2024 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Company Secretary (CS) in which he has also been serving in the role of Acting CEO since July 2024, following the unfortunate resignation of the late David Osikore, due to health reasons. BCL Chairman, Sir Melchior Togolo said that Auna’s local knowledge and connections across government and the broader community, will be invaluable to project advancement as he will also continue to act as CFO and CS until a new appointment for these positions are made.