In a speech following his victory in the presidential election for the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ishmael Toroama argued "the wind of change has blown"
Panguna copper mine
Bougainville's election has determined who will lead negotiations with the Papua New Guinea government over independence, and the future of the Panguna copper and gold mine, writes Susan Price.
A spokesperson for the Bougainville Hardliners Group has called on the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to explain why the Australian Federal Police (AFP) were at the controversial Panguna mine site in central Bougainville on June 5.
AFP officers were seen taking GPS readings at the abandoned copper mine site. James Onartoo, a former leader of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, said the community has a right to know why they were there and what they were doing.