source: PNG Mine Watch

The Momis-Australian economic pact developed since 2010 was sealed through the Mining Bill when it passed through Bougainville's parliament. According to its salesman this economic strategy will bring independence, jobs, money, and happiness.

But there is not one exampleto back up their claims. On the other hand we know from Bougainville's own history, and we know from the history of ex-colonial countries from around the world - still under the hoof of foreign powers - what will emerge.

So what will this economic strategy mean for Bougainville?

• More large-scale open cut mines.
• More foreign corporations - Rio Tinto yes, but almost certainly Chinese mining companies, looking to feed their heavy industries. And once they invest, we better like the deal, otherwise its more death from above.
• Hundreds and thousands of tonnes of toxic tailings.
• The sale of forestry and marine stocks to South-East Asian companies.
• Pollution, deforestation, depleted marine stock, clogged rivers, damaged marine environment, depleted wild life, polluted air, crop disease.
• Inflow of tens of thousands of migrants, some will be domestic migrants, many will be international.
•  Introduction of special economic zones with low corporate tax , no labour laws, or environmental protections.
• The emergence of large urban centres, surrounded by large migrant-squatter settlements and worker camps.
• Bougainvilleans sweating in the manual and semi-skilled jobs, with token faces on management boards.
•  Chronic land shortages.
•  Growing inequality between individuals, and regions.
•  Class conflict between a wealthy local elite, feeding at the table of the mining, logging and fishing company, and the silent majority enduring pollution, land shortages, increased crime, and racism (in their own land).
• More corruption, as resource revenues are squandered on houses in Australia, and the high life, for those politicians willing to sell off the people's property.
• More crime, alcoholism, and drugs.
• More violence, growing racial tensions.
• The loss of cultural heritage, and the weakening of customary authority.

But those selling the dream - or nightmare - will have their gold, copper, timber and fish, by the time the whole thing goes down the drain...