Panguna Landowners Win the Support of Central Bougainville’S Parliamentary Committee Announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR
DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
PANGUNA LANDOWNERS WIN THE SUPPORT OF CENTRAL BOUGAINVILLE’S
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE AND TORONTO
STOCK EXCHANGE
12 SEPTEMBER 2018
RTG Mining Inc. (ASX:RTG, TSX:RTG) (“RTG” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that
following its nomination as the preferred development partner of the Panguna Landowners
Association - the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (“SMLOLA”) and
the establishment of the joint venture between RTG and it s subsidiaries and Landowners
through Panguna Minerals Limited (formerly CMEL), the Consortium was invited to present
their redevelopment proposal for Panguna to the House of Representatives, held on
Thursday, 6 September 2018.
The Panguna Mine, located in Central Bougainville, was reported as the largest open pit
mine in the world in its day, contributing approximately 40% of the total economy of P apua
New Guinea while operating. The mine was closed down in 1988 due to widespread
community concerns over the previous operator’s treatment of the environment and
inequitable benefit sharing amongst the Landowners . The SMLOLA are working with the
Autonomous Bougainville Government (“ABG”) and the members of the House of
Representatives to win their support for this important Panguna Landowner led initiative. As
owners of the resource at Panguna, the members of the SMLOLA recognise the importance
of the mine to the future of the whole of Bougainville and empowering the ABG to lead
Bougainville towards a brighter future, emphasizing the importance of a material stake in
the mine for the ABG as well as Landowners.
The Landowner led Consortium last week formally presented its proposal to a number of the
members of the A utonomous Region of Bougainville House of Representatives. This led to
the SMLOLA announcing the y had won the support of the House of Representatives
Committee from Central Bougainville for its proposal on Panguna , together with support
from members throughout Bougainville. The SMLOLA continue to be sensitive to the wishes
of the ABG and have refined and amended their proposal as requested by the ABG . The
Landowners are working hard to win the support of the ABG, which is an ongoing process. A
number of Ministers in the ABG have recentl y indicated that they have a number of
concerns which were based on incorrect information, which is being corrected for the
benefit of the ABG and all members of Parliament.
RTG is also pleased to provide a further important update on its communit y engage ment
program on Bougainville which is critical to the success we have had in building and
continuing to strengthen the Social Licence in Bougainville.
The Panguna Landowners and RTG believe a Social License is the most critical issue to
ultimately winning the support of the ABG and the wider community. The Joint Venture is
committed to working diligently to continue to constructively engage fully with the Panguna
community.
This has included an extensive community awareness program in all the key villages which
has resulted not only in a successful reconciliation of the leadership, but also a high degree
of unity and the support of around 90% of available Blockholders across the broader
membership base of the SMLOLA. This program of community engagement is ongoing and
has been very well received, with support continuing to grow.
As part of this initiative RTG and SMLOLA also have a focused program to support both the
Panguna community and the people of Bougainville. This program has already seen RTG and
the Panguna Landowners jointly support a number of valuable community programs
including;
donating much needed and critical medicines to the new local Arawa Hospital;
supporting schools and education;
being the major sponsor of the Bougainville Day celebrations in Arawa;
supporting the Women’s Federation who are committed to building peace and
reconciliation on Bougainville; and
sponsoring grass roots soccer in and around Arawa.
RTG and the Panguna Landowners are now pleased to announce their latest substantive
commitment to supporting the Bougainvillean community - the sponsorship of grass roots
rugby on Bougainville including the outstanding sevens Bougainvillean rugby team - the
Black Orchids. The Black Orchids are about much more than just rugby, with the players also
inspiring Bougainvilleans off the field and helping the community move forward with peace
and reconciliation ahead of next year ’s historic independence referendum . Many of these
players are role models for the youth of Bougainville.
Mr Peter Tsiamalili, the President of Autonomous Bougainville Rugby said today, “this
gesture of support by RTG is significant towards our efforts to compliment our ABG
Government including all stakeholders on Bougainville working to wards a United and
Peaceful Bouganville.”
Mr Tsiamalili said “Rugby Union has proven to have United a nation, a great Example is how
the great Nelson Mandela used Rugby Union to unite South Africa. The Journey of the Black
Orchid Rugby Sevens Icon team of Bougainville has taken a leaf from Mandela. Only when
the minds of our youths and our communities find peace and unity through their mindset
then we will see a sustainable and liberated transformation.”
“We are delighted RTG and the Panguna Landowners ha ve recognised the important role
sport and particularly rugby can play in advancing the peace and reconciliation process on
Bougainville. We very much look forward to working with a team that are committed to
improving the quality of life and genuinely hav e the best interests of the people of
Bougainville at heart.”
RTG and the SMLOLA look forward to their ongoing support of the community on
Bougainville and continuing to be a force for positive change.
ABOUT RTG MINING INC
RTG Mining Inc. is a mining and exploration company listed on the main board of the
Toronto Stock Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange. RTG is focused on developing
the high grade copper/gold/magnetite Mabilo Project and advancing exploration on the
highly prospective Bunawan Project, both in the Philippines, while also identifying major
new projects which will allow the Company to move quickly and safely to production.
RTG has an experienced management team (previously responsible for the development of
the Masbate Gold Mine in the Philippines through CGA Mining Limited), and has B2Gold as
one of its major shareholders in the Company. B2Gold is a member of both the S&P/TSX
Global Gold and Global Mining Indices.
ENQUIRIES
Australian Contact US Contact
President & CEO – Justine Magee Jaime Wells
Tel: +61 8 6489 2900 Tel: +1 970 640 0611
Fax: +61 8 6489 2920 Fax:
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement includes certain “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of
Canadian and applicable securities legislation. Statement regarding interpretation of
exploration results, plans for further exploration and accuracy of mineral resource and
mineral reserve estimates and related assumptions and inherent operating risks, are
forward-looking statements. Forward -looking statements involve various risks and
uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance
that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from RTG’s expectations include uncertainties related
to fluctuations in gold and other commodity prices and currency exchange rates;
uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of
mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs, recovery rates,
production estimates and estimated economic return; the need for cooperation of
government agencies in the development of RTG’s mineral pro jects; the need to obt ain
additional financing to develop RTG’s mineral projects; the possibility of delay in
development programs or in construction projects and uncertainty of meeting anticipated
program milestones for RTG’s mineral projects and other risks and uncertainties disclosed
under the heading “Risk Factors” in RTG’s Annual Information Form for the year ended 31
December 2016 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR
website at sedar.com. The forward ‐looking statements made in this announc ement relate
only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. RTG will not release
publicly any revisions or updates to these forward ‐looking statements to reflect events,
circumstances or unanticipated events occurring after the date of thi s announcement except
as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.