ABG Mining Act amendment certified

The Office of the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives has certified the Bougainville Mining Gold Production Levy Amendment Act of 2025, effectively meaning the changes made are confirmed to come into operation as law.

The ABG Gazette says Speaker Simon Pentanu has certified the changes to the law and that it will come into effect in October.

The House of Representatives in its final sitting early this month passed changes to the Bougainville Mining Act, after approving the Bougainville Mining [Gold Production Levy Amendment] Act 2025.

The aim of this amendment is for the government to start charging a tax on gold being produced in Bougainville, and to boost its internal revenues from the levy.

The Bougainville Mining [Gold Production Levy Amendment] Act 2025 was passed on voices on the final session of the House.

Presenting the bill in Parliament, President Ishmael Toroama says these changes were developed following extensive consultation with small-scale miners, gold dealers, local-level governments, landowners associations and the Bougainville Administration.

President Toroama told the House that while the changes are technical in nature, their effect will be significant.