On the world map you may receive a new state: on the island of Bougainville in the Pacific ocean holding a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea.
This area already has the status of autonomy. The twentieth century in Bougainville was marked by a series of armed conflicts over the independence of the Republic of North Solomons. The current referendum is held in the framework of the peace agreement of 2001.
Vote will last two weeks. Voters choose between the two options of the region development as a "large autonomy" within the framework of Papua New Guinea or as a separate state. News agencies with reference to the opinion polls say that nearly two-thirds of the island's residents are in favor of independence.
known as the Bougainville island, which is one of the world's largest deposits of copper. In addition, there is mined gold. A substantial portion of the population lives in almost isolated from the world villages, about half of the island's residents can't read.
the history of the development of copper on the island of Bougainville began with the fact that in 1963 the Australian government has granted a license to develop copper mines in Panguna on the territory of Bougainville island the company "CRA exploration". In 1969 an Australian company Rio Tinto has started the exploitation of the natural resources of the island. Soon the export of copper began to reach 45% of national export earnings of Papua New Guinea.
in Addition to the development of copper mining island of Bougainville exports copra, coconut and vanilla.
