Snapshot: In May 2024, over 3000 residents of Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, filed a class action lawsuit against Rio Tinto and Bougainville Copper Ltd's Panguna Copper Mine before the National Court in Papua New Guinea over the environmental and social damage caused by the mine. The mine was shut down in 1989 after local protests over revenue distribution escalated into a civil war, resulting in up to 20,000 deaths. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for loss and damage, anticipated to amount to billions of dollars. They argue that the mine has compromised their access to reliable food, fresh water, and natural habitats. Additionally, they allege that it has destroyed traditional livelihoods in agriculture and fishing, leaving them without sustainable means of living. The case is ongoing.