The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says his government has conducted more consultations with the people on the proposed new mining law than any government has ever done.
The autonomous government is promoting mining and the re-opening of the Panguna mine as the best route to economic development for the province.
The President John Momis says the PNG Communications Minister and Central Bougainville MP, Jimmy Miningtoro, is lying when he claims the people's views have not been sought.
He says his government has spoken with the ex-combatants, the landowners and the women across different parts of Bougainville.
"We have spent so much money on consultation precisely because we believe that unless we listen to the people and unless the people understand what we are about, what are our reasons for wanting to re-open the Panguna mine, we would not be doing justice to them."
The President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, John Momis
