The Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) is seeking potential mining partners to redevelop the Panguna Mine in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). Since been granted the exploration license- EL01 in January 2024, BCL has made significant progress in onsite presence and activities over the past year. The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Chief Secretary Kearnneth Nanei, who spoke at this week’s PNG Resource Week CANCONEX in Port Moresby city, said the ABG holds 72.9% Share in BCL, after the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government transferred 36.4% to the ABG. “As a major stakeholder, the role of the ABG together with our stake stakeholders and landowners will be crucial in this process.” In addition to this, Mr. Nanei said there has been an increase in mining exploration license applications received in the past year. Some of those exploration companies conducting exploration in Bougainville were in attendance as well at the 2025 Papua New Guinea Resource Week at the APEC Haus. “This signifies the potential that we have in the region,” said the Chief Secretary. The reopening of the Panguna mine is extremely important to the ABG and getting this underway would very much assist the region economically going forward.