The building of a giant open-cut copper mine on the island of Bougainville brought profound change to local landowners. Despite royalties, training programs and extensive development, landowner concerns eventually escalated into conflict, which resulted in the closure of the mine. These issues are already clearly evident in this film, made shortly after the mine opened in 1970.

(1970, 26 minutes) A Commonwealth Film Unit Production made with the assistance of the Department of External Territories.

© National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.