Bougainville: Conflict deferred?

Abstract

Violent separatist conflict in Bougainville between 1988 and 1997 was the most damaging conflict ever to occur amongst Pacific islanders, causing thousands of deaths.2 Until the early 1960s Bougainville was a remote and relatively neglected part of what is now the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Then discovery of a huge copper deposit led to the opening in 1972 of one of the world�s largest copper mines, making Bougainville vital to PNG�s economic viability as it prepared for its independence from Australia in 1975. Closure of the mine in 1989 by the conflict sent PNG into fiscal crisis. Show more