A landowners' association near the contested Panguna mine in Bougainville is accusing Bougainville Copper Ltd of misleading people.
Panguna mine site Photo: supplied
The leadership of the Special Mining Lease Osikaiang Landowners Association, Philip Miriori and Lawrence Daveona, said BCL's claim it had the backing of the seven nominated representatives of the 367 customary titleholders was wrong.
Despite an indefinite moratorium on any mining at the Panguna site BCL is still hoping to win the right to re-open the mine, while the Osikaiang group is allied with rival mining company, RTG.
Osikaiang has now published statements from two of the representatives named as supporters of BCL who reject that claim, and say they back Osikaiang.
They are Michael Pariu and Bernadette Oni.