The government of Bougainville is reportedly putting a moratorium on mining, dealing a blow to Bougainville Copper Limited's plans to reopen the controversial mine at Panguna, once one of the world’s biggest copper mines.

Bougainville Copper Ltd

Panguna has an enormous supply of copper, and until it was shut in 1987 it generated as much as half of Papua New Guinea's income.  But secessionist feelings, resentment of foreign mine workers, and control of the lucrative enterprise led to to the outbreak of violence known as the "Bougainville crisis", in which as many as 20,000 people were killed. 

"We will not allow this project once again to reignite the wounds of the Bougainville crisis and distract our focus for restoring peace and our preparation for our referendum in 2019," said Bougainville President John Momis, referring to the upcoming vote on independence from Papua New Guinea in June 2019.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government and the PNG government back Bougainville Copper to run the reopened mine.  Local landowners are supporting a rival group of Australian investors.  Bougainville Copper promised to work with the landowners when it announced efforts to reopen Panguna earlier this year.