The chairman of Bougainville Copper Limited Robert Burns has advised of his decision to stand down from the board in the early part of next year as he looks towards retirement. Mel Togolo has accepted the nomination of the board to replace Mr. Burns as chairman at the next scheduled board meeting on 21 February 2018. Mr. Burns was appointed chairman in July 2016, following the exit of Rio Tinto, after having served as an independent director since 2006. He brought more than 40 years' mining industry experience to the role. Mr. Burns said he felt February was an appropriate time for him to stand aside and for Mel Togolo to take over the chairmanship. Mr. Togolo previously served on the BCL board as an alternate member (1977-1980) and full board member (1990-1993) and held several senior positions with Bougainville's former North Solomons provincial government between 1978 and 1990, including the role of chief secretary.