The proposed legal proceedings concern the ongoing man-made environmental disaster caused by the alleged failure of Rio Tinto Limited (Rio Tinto) and Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) to, among other things, properly dispose of waste rock, tailings and fine overburden from the Panguna Mine. The proceedings will be conducted as a class action on behalf of current and former residents of Bougainville who have suffered loss or damage as a result of the operation of the Panguna Mine between about 19