Teosirivi landowners of Tinputz in PNG's North Bougainville are against the exploration and mining of Toremana mine.
Chairman and spokesperson Judah Satui Aveinu told the Post- Courier that it is against the wishes of the Teosirivi landowners which is made up of 19 clans from Kunua, Keriaka, Red River, Aita, Tinputz, Suir, Melelup both inland and coastline areas for the minig exploration and actual production. Teosirivi landowners share the landmass of the proposed Mt Toremana in Tinputz, North Bougainville. Speaking on behalf of the Teosirivi landowners. Mr Aveinu said they totally opposed the mining in Tinputz and condemn Toremana, an incorporated land group that has been discussing exploration options at Tinputz with a Kalia Holdings Ltd which claims to hold 75 per cent stake on the Tore Project. The landowners have opted to put a stop to any move made by Kalia Holdings Ltd on their land. “Kalia will get license on our land which we totally oppose. We
will get the exploration license ourselves and not other third parties coming in to get license o our land,” Mr Aveinu said adding that the proposed option on exploration is doomed to fail since the majority of the landowners strongly oppose the idea of exploration or mining. Mr Aveinu also warned Kalia Holdings’ partner GB Energy Limited not to waste good money on ideas that are not feasible and viable. “GB Energy Ltd, we the landowners don’t agree on the mining or exploration of Mt Toremana. Please don’t allow Kalia Holdings Ltd to fool you. There’s no agreement with the landowners. We warn that you don’t trespass on our land; you must refrain from listening to Kalia Holdings Ltd. We landowners are not happy. “Teosirivi Landowner Group want Toremana to know that the license is not yours but for the white people. “Do not bring white people over to
spoil our land. The exploration or mining license is not yours, stop entertaining Kalia Holdings Ltd to come.
We’re going to protect our land,” Mr Aveinu said. He called on ABG representatives not to become free riders and must face the realities of how people are living, adding that people have suered too long and don’t want to go through another suering again when inviting foreigners onto our land. “Some of the ABG representatives are free riders, they don’t face the reality, and they don’t represent Bougainville. Stop making decisions that will aect us again. We had enough of the conict and don’t want another conict again,” Mr Aveinu said. He called on the ABG Mining Oce to extend their program into the hinterlands and coastline of Tinputz and surrounding areas to gauge views from people and not to hold meetings at Kekesu. However, in a statement, Kalia Holdings, the parent company of PNG registered subsidiary Kalia Investments Ltd conrmed signing a binding Deed of Agreement with Toremana Resources Ltd that provides for a joint venture with Kalia holding 75 percent and Toremana 25 percent free carry through to production. “Toremana is an approved
landowner organization under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 comprised of seven local clans that represent customary landowners in an area of approximately 1,800km square. Kalia has invested approximately US$790,000 (K2.5 million) into the Tore project, involving extensive and ongoing awareness, reconciliation and cleansing programs with local communities.” In June 2016, Bougainville’s House of Representatives passed a motion asking the Autonomous Bougainville Government to lift the moratorium on mining. The transaction with Kalia seeks to ensure GB Energy Ltd is ready to explore in Bougainville if and when exploration licenses
are granted. The merger with Kalia will provide GB Energy Ltd with an exciting and unparalleled opportunity to explore and assess copper and gold prospects within Bougainville. In joining a public company, Kalia will be able to better deliver information to the public regarding the joint venture with Toremana. Kalia will also have access to the nancial markets required for a project of this scope. GB Energy Ltd and Kalia thanked customary landowners, their female chiefs and clansmen also the esteemed Members of the ABG, ministers, members of Parliament and departmental ocers for their advice and guidance. Post Courier/PMW
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will get the exploration license ourselves and not other third parties coming in to get license o our land,” Mr Aveinu said adding that the proposed option on exploration is doomed to fail since the majority of the landowners strongly oppose the idea of exploration or mining. Mr Aveinu also warned Kalia Holdings’ partner GB Energy Limited not to waste good money on ideas that are not feasible and viable. “GB Energy Ltd, we the landowners don’t agree on the mining or exploration of Mt Toremana. Please don’t allow Kalia Holdings Ltd to fool you. There’s no agreement with the landowners. We warn that you don’t trespass on our land; you must refrain from listening to Kalia Holdings Ltd. We landowners are not happy. “Teosirivi Landowner Group want Toremana to know that the license is not yours but for the white people. “Do not bring white people over to
spoil our land. The exploration or mining license is not yours, stop entertaining Kalia Holdings Ltd to come.
We’re going to protect our land,” Mr Aveinu said. He called on ABG representatives not to become free riders and must face the realities of how people are living, adding that people have suered too long and don’t want to go through another suering again when inviting foreigners onto our land. “Some of the ABG representatives are free riders, they don’t face the reality, and they don’t represent Bougainville. Stop making decisions that will aect us again. We had enough of the conict and don’t want another conict again,” Mr Aveinu said. He called on the ABG Mining Oce to extend their program into the hinterlands and coastline of Tinputz and surrounding areas to gauge views from people and not to hold meetings at Kekesu. However, in a statement, Kalia Holdings, the parent company of PNG registered subsidiary Kalia Investments Ltd conrmed signing a binding Deed of Agreement with Toremana Resources Ltd that provides for a joint venture with Kalia holding 75 percent and Toremana 25 percent free carry through to production. “Toremana is an approved
landowner organization under the Bougainville Mining Act 2015 comprised of seven local clans that represent customary landowners in an area of approximately 1,800km square. Kalia has invested approximately US$790,000 (K2.5 million) into the Tore project, involving extensive and ongoing awareness, reconciliation and cleansing programs with local communities.” In June 2016, Bougainville’s House of Representatives passed a motion asking the Autonomous Bougainville Government to lift the moratorium on mining. The transaction with Kalia seeks to ensure GB Energy Ltd is ready to explore in Bougainville if and when exploration licenses
are granted. The merger with Kalia will provide GB Energy Ltd with an exciting and unparalleled opportunity to explore and assess copper and gold prospects within Bougainville. In joining a public company, Kalia will be able to better deliver information to the public regarding the joint venture with Toremana. Kalia will also have access to the nancial markets required for a project of this scope. GB Energy Ltd and Kalia thanked customary landowners, their female chiefs and clansmen also the esteemed Members of the ABG, ministers, members of Parliament and departmental ocers for their advice and guidance. Post Courier/PMW
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