In 2018, after a couple of years living in nearby Arawa, Adam Constanza had an opportunity to visit and explore Panguna mine, which closed its operation in 1989, nearly three decades earlier.
As an old mate from my construction days on Bougainville said, "Could never see the mine opening again - far too much damage and cost would be mind-boggling - all the infrastructure would need to be rebuilt - including the slurry pipeline over the mountain. Everything that could be looted - has been to pay for the war Just had a look at Google map; all that is left of the power station are the rusty oil-storage tanks. Nothing left of the concentrator - such a change from when we were there!"