Island dripping with GOLD might be Trump's subsequent win if he seizes likelihood for 'deal of the century'

[ad_1] Trump's love of gold is not any secret. From the gilded splendor of Trump Tower to Mar-a-lago's gleaming ballroom, the president is understood to experience all that glitters.

However has a golden alternative simply arisen for Trump to take management of a tropical island full with its personal gold mine?

Bougainville, which is presently a part of Papua New Guinea, voted overwhelmingly for independence in 2019, however the ballot wasn't binding. Now a neighborhood chief says he's open to a deal for it to turn out to be a part of the USA.

Given the island's strategic significance in any future battle with China , it might be nicely value its weight!

Bougainville's president, former insurgent commander Ishmael Toroama, says: 'If the US comes and says, "Sure, we help Bougainville independence," then, I can say, "Nicely, the Panguna mine is right here. It is as much as you."'

'Bougainville is for independence. It is just a matter of time,' he informed The World in October, setting 2027 because the goal for full statehood.

On the middle of the battle for independence lies Bougainville's immense pure wealth — notably the dormant Panguna mine, as soon as one of many world's largest sources of copper and gold.

It is estimated to nonetheless maintain 5.84 million tons of copper and practically 20 million ounces of gold — value round $60 billion at this time.

Bougainville, a resource-rich Pacific archipelago, may turn out to be the world’s latest nation—and a few imagine Donald Trump would possibly see it because the deal of the century.

The islands maintain an estimated $60 billion in copper and gold, primarily within the shuttered Panguna mine, making them an financial and strategic prize

With its mineral riches and site simply north of Australia, Bougainville is seen as a possible prize within the rising energy wrestle between the U.S. and China.

Australia's former Excessive Commissioner to PNG, Ian Kemish, nonetheless, is not satisfied. 'I do not actually imagine that it'll be of a lot curiosity,' he informed The Sun . 'However from a geopolitical perspective, an impartial Bougainville might be helpful to both the U.S. or China.'

Regardless of 98 p.c of voters backing the cut up, the trail to full statehood stays stalled in political limbo, with PNG's parliament displaying little urge for food to let the mineral-rich area go.

'The straightforward truth is that the nationwide parliament has no want in any respect to see Bougainville go,' Kemish added. 'Either side have been avoiding confrontation, however there's plenty of stress left on this.'

That stress is rooted in a bloody previous. Bougainville declared independence as soon as earlier than in 1975 — however was absorbed by PNG a yr later, sparking a civil battle that raged from 1988 to 1997, claiming 1000's of lives.

A 2001 peace deal promised a future vote — delivered in 2019 — however authorized independence nonetheless requires PNG's approval.

With PNG lacking a 2023 ratification deadline set within the Period Kone Covenant, doubts are rising. 'They really feel the territorial integrity of the nation is at stake,' stated Kemish. 'In the event that they let one bit go, different bits will need to observe.'

Although shuttered for the reason that civil battle, the Panguna mine stays the cornerstone of Bougainville's dream for financial independence.

Pictured: The shuttered Panguna mine, that boasted monumental copper and gold reserves

Pictured: The primary mine of C.R.A. at Panaguna, 20 miles from Kirta on Bougainville on October 3, 1969

<img id="i-db6b3ec6aca5655d" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/04/19/18/97464319-14628017-President_Ishmael_Toroama_has_hinted_at_a_bold_offer_reportedly_-a-53_1745082046586.jpg" height="438" width="634" alt="President Ishmael Toroama has hinted at a bold offer, reportedly saying, 'Well, the Panguna mine is here. It¿s up to you,' suggesting Bougainville could welcome U.S. support in exchange for access (Pictured: Aerial view of copper mine from 1974)" class="blkBorder img-share" style="max-width:100%" loading="lazy" /> President Ishmael Toroama has hinted at a daring provide, reportedly saying, 'Nicely, the Panguna mine is right here. It’s as much as you,' suggesting Bougainville may welcome U.S. help in alternate for entry (Pictured: Aerial view of copper mine from 1974)

'We've got to unlock the financial potential of Bougainville,' Toroama added. 'Nobody will cease our folks.'

House to only over 300,000 folks, Bougainville can be among the many world's smallest nations, roughly the dimensions of Cyprus.

Its closest neighbor, the Solomon Islands, has already leaned towards Beijing—including additional intrigue to Bougainville's destiny.

If it succeeds in gaining recognition, Bougainville can be the primary new nation admitted to the UN since South Sudan in 2011.

This isn't the primary time Trump has floated daring territorial ambitions.

Shortly after taking workplace, the previous actual property mogul turned president surprised international leaders by expressing curiosity in purchasing Greenland, the vast Arctic island governed by Denmark .

In 2019, Trump confirmed stories that the U.S. was contemplating shopping for the territory, citing its strategic worth, ample pure assets, and potential for army growth.

'Primarily, it is a big actual property deal,' he informed reporters on the time, calling the proposal 'a terrific deal for the USA.'

The concept was swiftly rejected by Danish officers, who known as the notion 'absurd.' Greenland's authorities additionally issued a firm statement: 'Greenland is not for sale.'

The diplomatic fallout escalated to the purpose the place Trump canceled a planned state visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuffed the provide.

Nonetheless, Trump by no means walked again the proposal—suggesting as an alternative that it was a savvy transfer neglected by different leaders. 'I simply checked out it strategically. It could be good,' he later stated.

<img id="i-921afc68239f1cb1" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/04/19/18/97464323-14628017-_We_have_to_unlock_the_economic_potential_of_Bougainville_Toroam-a-51_1745082046494.jpg" height="806" width="634" alt="'We have to unlock the economic potential of Bougainville,' Toroama said earlier in October 2024. 'No one will stop our people'" class="blkBorder img-share" style="max-width:100%" loading="lazy" /> 'We've got to unlock the financial potential of Bougainville,' Toroama stated earlier in October 2024. 'Nobody will cease our folks'

<img id="i-e8d8878568f10f" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/04/19/18/97464329-14628017-Despite_a_98_percent_vote_for_independence_in_2019_Papua_New_Gui-a-54_1745082046590.jpg" height="953" width="634" alt="Despite a 98 percent vote for independence in 2019, Papua New Guinea¿s parliament hasn¿t ratified the result, fearing national fragmentation." class="blkBorder img-share" style="max-width:100%" loading="lazy" /> Regardless of a 98 p.c vote for independence in 2019, Papua New Guinea’s parliament hasn’t ratified the outcome, fearing nationwide fragmentation.

His Greenland bid marked some of the audacious international coverage strategies of his presidency — till now.

Trump has additionally toyed with the idea of making Canada the 51st state.

He reportedly joked about former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau changing into a U.S. governor and questioned why the 2 international locations weren’t only one, citing shared culture and trade ties .

Although possible tongue-in-cheek, he talked about the thought greater than as soon as — hinting at utilizing tariffs as leverage.

Canadian officers and the general public have firmly rejected the notion, nevertheless it suits Trump’s sample of viewing geopolitics by the lens of a dealmaker.