By: Bougainville Freedom Movement

Bougainville Freedom Movement — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 23:22:21 +0000

So the PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill denies any ‘shady deals’ have been done with Rio Tinto.
(See Postcourier report 8 July 2016).
This is very difficult to accept.
According to the Bougainville Copper Ltd (BCL) website “The Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG) has taken up its 17.4 percent entitlement to Bougainville Copper Limited shares under the arrangements established by Rio Tinto, which gives PNG a 36.4 percent equity holding in the company.”
It is questionable whether Mr O’Neill had met or not met Rio Tinto officials in Port Moresby prior to the share divestment, but Mr O’Neill did meet Rio Tinto in Singapore.
The Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill himself did invite the ABG President John Momis for a meeting with RIO TINTO in Singapore on December 17th, 2015.
So whilst the PNG Prime Minister insists he was not aware of any deal with Rio Tinto or any movements of the Petromin board (now Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited -KMHL) relating to the Rio Tinto shares that PNG has taken up, how will he explain this to the people of Papua New Guinea, his Cabinet and the National Executive Council?

Comments on: PM O’Neill denies ‘shady deal’ accusation over Bougainville mine

By: Bougainville Freedom Movement