RTG Mining Inc. (RTG or the company) announced that its nomination as the preferred development partner of the Panguna Landowners Association - the Special Mining Lease Osikaiyang Landowners Association (SMLOLA) and the establishment of the joint venture between RTG and its subsidiaries and Landowners through Panguna Minerals Limited (formerly CMEL), the Consortium was invited to present their redevelopment proposal for Panguna to the House of Representatives, held on 6 September 2018. The Panguna Mine, located in Central Bougainville, was reported as the largest open pit mine in the world in its day, contributing approximately 40% of the total economy of Papua New Guinea while operating. The mine was closed down in 1988 due to widespread community concerns over the previous operator's treatment of the environment and inequitable benefit sharing amongst the Landowners. The SMLOLA are working with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the members of the House of Representatives to win their support for this important Panguna Landowner led initiative. As owners of the resource at Panguna, the members of the SMLOLA recognise the importance of the mine to the future of the whole of Bougainville and empowering the ABG to lead Bougainville towards a brighter future, emphasizing the importance of a material stake in the mine for the ABG as well as Landowners. The Landowner led Consortium last week formally presented its proposal to a number of the members of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville House of Representatives. This led to the SMLOLA announcing they had won the support of the House of Representatives Committee from Central Bougainville for its proposal on Panguna, together with support from members throughout Bougainville. The SMLOLA continue to be sensitive to the wishes of the ABG and have refined and amended their proposal as requested by the ABG. The Landowners are working hard to win the support of the ABG, which is an ongoing process. A number of Ministers in the ABG have recently indicated that they have a number of concerns which were based on incorrect information, which is being corrected for the benefit of the ABG and all members of Parliament.