Bougainville president has slammed a report launched by the Greens about the reopening of the Panguna Mine.
A report by the Jubilee Australia Research Centre was launched in Parliament this week by Senator Larissa Waters, the Greens spokeswoman on mining, women and the environment.
The report surveyed 65 people living near the mine and all of them opposed the reopening of the mine by Australian company Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), whose parent company is Rio Tinto
Bougainville president John Momis said the report was "deeply flawed" and the 100 per cent opposition suggests those interviewed were selected for their views.
In a statement released in August, the mining giant said it would review its majority stake in its subsidiary BCL.
The move follows the adoption of a new draft mining law by the Autonomous Bougainville Government, which stripped BCL of any mining rights.
The Panguna mine was the PNG government's major source of revenue when the country became independent in 1975 but landowners were unhappy with the way benefits were shared.
Momis stated that the mine is considered a crucial part of Bougainville's referendum on independence, to be held in the next five years.
Radio Australia