Media Statement: ABG Vice President condemns killing of Thailand-national geophysical consultant
At approximately 9.00am BST on Thursday 20 February 2020, a Thailand national conducting exploration fieldwork on behalf of San Roque Metals Incorporations (SRMI) Bougainville Ltd, was shot dead by armed individuals within the Siura area in South Bougainville.
This area is under an exploration tenement held by Philippines based SRMI Bougainville Ltd issued by the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
The ABG Vice President and Minister for Mining, Raymond Masono, condemns this callous act in the strongest possible terms and vows to commit the full resources of the Bougainville Police Service into apprehending the perpetrators and making sure they face the full force of the law.
“This type of brutal act towards foreign individuals invited into Bougainville under government sanctioned activities paints a really bad picture to the outside community especially when we have to present a strong case to support our push for political independence. Moreover, it undermines investor confidence in our resource sector. In light of this incident which unfortunately happened just a few months after a similar incident in another exploration tenement in Melellup, the ABG will be reviewing all its activities and approaches particularly with regard to how land access issues are addressed and the risks are assessed,” Minister Masono said.
“I appeal to all relevant stakeholders, community government leaders, chiefs, veterans and youths within the area to cooperate and work with the Bougainville Police Service so that that the suspects are swiftly rounded up and dealt with.
“The Bougainville Mining Act 2015 provides multiple avenues for interest groups to air their grievances and complaints if they are unhappy with how things are progressing during exploration stages. It’s unfortunate that some people in our communities fail to see the importance of working within such systems and resort to extreme measures resulting in a loss of life. These type of people do not deserve to be a part of the new Bougainville we are building.”
“I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the late Thailand technician, Chanon Lumpoo, who travelled thousands of kilometers to our shores to lend his expertise and met his fate at the hands of cowards. The ABG will commit all its resources into ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and justice is served.”
Hon. Raymond Masono, MHR
Vice President and Minister for Mineral & Energy Resources
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