Bougainville Copper Limited announced the appointment of Mr. James Rutana and Mr. Kearnneth Nanei to the company's board of directors. Mr. Rutana is a well-respected Bougainvillean businessman and entrepreneur from North Nasioi, Kieta who has studied microeconomics and international commodity trading in London. He is committed to Bougainville's economic development particularly in sustainable agriculture, and has operated several successful local businesses. Rutana is considered a pioneer in cocoa farming and exporting in PNG and Bougainville. He was instrumental in the establishment of the PNG Cocoa Board and served as founding chairman, as well as the establishment of the PNG Cocoa and Coconut Research Institute, where he served as chairman for 10 years. Nanei is a highly regarded legal professional graduating from the University of Papua New Guinea. He commenced his career in private practice before his appointment as Secretary and Principal Legal Adviser for the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Justice and Legal Services in 2010. Nanei had extensive involvement in the development of the Bougainville Mining Act 2015, inclusive of community consultations, membership of technical working groups, and advising the mining minister and the ABG executive council.