PNG copper mine targeted

Mercenaries hired to put down a secessionist rebellion in Papua New Guinea planned to capture a vast copper mine on Bougainville island with a force of 1,200 soldiers, a public inquiry was told.

Brigadier-General Jerry Singirok, the sacked PNG army commander, told the inquiry into last month's aborted mercenary operation that British- based military consultancy Sandline International wanted to make the mine the focus of its operation. Reuters - Port Moresby