‘Selfish and greedy’: President slams perpetrators of Panguna mine attack

Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama has condemned the violent assault on personnel and destruction of equipment at the Lloyds Metals camp in Panguna over the weekend.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning at the Panguna Mine pit in Central Bougainville, involved criminals armed with high-powered weapons who vandalized and torched millions of Kina worth of machinery and property.

One suspect was killed and another wounded during a shootout with responding police officers.

Member for North Nasioi, Johns Potabu, clarified that the incident was purely criminal and not linked to local landowners. He stated that the perpetrators—individuals profiting personally from illegal operations in the area—executed the attack to derail Lloyds Panguna Metals and Energy Limited from continuing development at the site.

President Toroama emphasized that the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and its people would not be intimidated by factions attempting to derail the mine’s redevelopment.

"While the majority of Bougainvilleans look forward to this development, certain elements have chosen to undermine the authority of the government and the collective efforts of our people," Toroama said.

"The actions of these individuals are selfish and serve only their own greedy intent. They do not have the best interests of our government or our people at heart. This type of behavior has no place in Bougainville and will not be tolerated."

Toroama confirmed that the Bougainville Police Service, supported by a coordinated community effort, is actively working to apprehend all remaining suspects.

"I want to reassure our people that this morning's incident does not weaken us; it only strengthens our resolve. We will take all necessary steps to enforce the government’s mandate to reopen the Panguna Mine," Toroama added.

"Let me be very clear: this government is of the people and by the people. We will not cower to terroristic acts of violence designed to cause disunity and distract us from our agenda of creating a socio-politically and economically viable Bougainville."