Economic sustainability is perhaps the biggest challenge for an independent Bougainville. ‘The Pacific’ ventured to Central Bougainville to a place that could bankroll the prospective nation. Some estimates put the value of copper and gold remaining in Panguna mine as high as 90-billion Australian dollars. At its peak, when it was run by Australian company Rio Tinto, Panguna was one of the largest mines of its kind in the world.
But studies show of the billions of Australian dollars generated over the life of the mine, landowners received less than two percent.
Watch the full episode ‘From bloody past to possibly the world’s newest country’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ny5H422ha4
Reporter: Marian Faa
Producer/Camera: Gabriella Marchant
Producer: Theckla Gunga
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