The war in Bouganville that began in 1988 and lasted for 10 years, cost the lives of approximately 20,000 people. The dispute focused on the huge Panguna mine owned by Rio Tinto. While the Papua New Guinea government carried out the war against the local landowners, the Australian government was fully committed to helping PNG. While the war finished in 1998, no reparations or rehabilitation were ever carried out. This week, Rio Tinto announced that they will formally walk away, leaving the villagers to cope with the ongoing toxic effects of the mine. Rio Tinto has a history of suppressing opposition to its mines (see here and here).
The war in Bouganville that began in 1988 and lasted for 10 years, cost the lives of approximately 20,000 people. The dispute focused on the huge Panguna mine owned by Rio Tinto. While the Papua New Guinea government carried out the war against the local landowners, the Australian government was fully committed to helping PNG. While the war finished in 1998, no reparations or rehabilitation were ever carried out. This week, Rio Tinto announced that they will formally walk away, leaving the villagers to cope with the ongoing toxic effects of the mine. Rio Tinto has a history of suppressing opposition to its mines (see here and here).
