A lush tropical island with a mountain of gold beneath its soil could offer Donald Trump what one prominent businessman calls ‘the deal of the century.’
John Kuhns, a former investment banker who moved to Bougainville nearly a decade ago, told DailyMail.com that if the U.S. backs the island’s push for independence, America could reap enormous rewards.
Bougainville’s president, Ishmael Toroama, has said that in exchange for U.S. support for independence from Papua New Guinea, America would be granted access to the Panguna mine—a major source of copper and gold.
‘If the U.S. comes and says, ‘Yes, we support Bougainville independence,’ then I can say, ‘Well, the Panguna mine is here. It’s up to you,’ Toroama said.
Although the mine has been dormant since 1989, it’s still estimated to hold 5.84 million tons of copper and nearly 20 million ounces of gold—worth around $60 billion.
Kuhns is newly optimistic about the prospects for a deal, comparing Bougainville’s mineral wealth to the kinds of agreements President Trump has sought in Ukraine.
‘Given President Trump’s interest in securing tangible returns for American diplomatic and military support, Bougainville represents a low-cost, high-yield strategic investment,’ Kuhns said.
‘It’s exactly the type of deal that fits Trump’s vision—affordable, strategically invaluable, and economically beneficial.’
A dazzling tropical island bursting with untapped gold and hidden riches is making headlines – not just for its beauty, but for its potential to become America’s 51st state
John Kuhns (right), an American businessman, joined forces with Ishmael Toroama (left) – the former revolutionary commander turned president of Bougainville – to push for the island’s independence and attract U.S. support for its future
Donald Trump is being urged by Kuhns to support Bougainville’s independence by bringing the island under U.S. protection
Bougainville, a cluster of around 200 islands, has long remained largely unknown to much of the world.
Beneath its tranquil, tropical exterior, however, lies a turbulent history—marked by a devastating civil war, ongoing economic challenges, and, more recently, renewed global attention due to its vast natural resources.
The region has become an increasingly contested prize between China and Western powers.
John Kuhns first arrived in Bougainville in 2015, initially on an unrelated business venture.
While he witnessed the lingering scars of conflict, he also saw an opportunity for the local population to forge a new path forward.
‘They had fought a civil war and won the right to an independence referendum, but they hadn’t gotten their act together economically, and they were afraid they’d run out of time,’ Kuhns said.
Seeing both an opportunity and a sense of purpose, Kuhns founded Numa Numa Resources in 2018—a company dedicated to revitalizing Bougainville’s economy and supporting the islanders’ long-held dreams of independence.
A pivotal moment came when Kuhns met Ishmael Toroama, a legendary figure revered across Bougainville for his role as commander of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army during the civil war.
Toroama had since transitioned from military leader to respected community mediator.
After witnessing Toroama expertly navigate a complex business dispute, Kuhns identified him as a natural political leader.
The Panguna mine has been dormant since 1989, however, it’s still estimated to hold 5.84 million tons of copper and nearly 20 million ounces of gold, which would be worth around $60 billion
Pictured: The main mine of C.R.A. at Panguna, 20 miles from Kirta on Bougainville on October 3, 1969
‘I asked him if he’d ever thought about being involved in politics because he was a natural,’ Kuhns says.
‘He told me about his unsuccessful run for president in 2015, and I said, ‘Well, if you ever reconsider, I’m sure my shareholders would be interested in backing you.’
With Kuhns’s backing, Toroama ran again for president and emerged victorious in 2020.
Their partnership quickly coalesced around two intertwined goals: rebuilding Bougainville’s economy through crucial infrastructure projects, and securing international diplomatic support to make independence a reality.
In late 2023, Kuhns arranged for President Toroama to visit Washington, D.C., facilitating high-level meetings with the Biden administration and the Special Select Congressional Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, chaired by Congressman Mike Gallagher.
Their diplomatic mission was designed to show U.S. policymakers that an independent Bougainville is not only viable, but strategically important in countering China’s growing influence in the region.
Pictured: A map of Bougainville’s location in relation to the United States
Pictured: Congressmen Neal Dunn and Ishmael Toroama in Washington D.C.
Kuhns underscored the island’s critical assets, including a deep-water port and the Panguna mine’s estimated $60 billion in copper, gold and silver reserves
Kuhns highlighted the archipelago’s extraordinary natural wealth – particularly the Panguna mine, home to roughly $60 billion in copper, gold and silver reserves – as well as its strategic deep-water port at Lolo.
‘Bougainville has the best deep-water port in the third island chain,’ Kuhns emphasized. ‘There are island chains that ring Asia and essentially protect China from us, and protect us from China.’
Although initial talks with the Biden administration yielded limited progress, Kuhns remains optimistic as shifting political dynamics—particularly under former President Trump’s strategic approach to foreign policy—could present new opportunities.
He warns, however, that the urgency of American involvement is only growing, given China’s expanding influence throughout the Pacific.
Kuhns revealed that Chinese interests have repeatedly tried to seize control of the Panguna mine through questionable means, drawing parallels to the fate of the nearby Solomon Islands.
‘China has tried multiple times to corruptly acquire the mine,’ Kuhns warned. ‘They’d love to take over Bougainville like they did our neighbors, the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands is gone as a country the West can depend on – they’re in China’s thrall until further notice.’
In 2018, Kuhns founded Numa Numa Resources to help revitalize the local economy and support Bougainville’s path to sovereignty
Pictured: A man from Bougainville melting alluvial gold in the furnace
Decisive U.S. action, he believes, is crucial to preventing a similar scenario in Bougainville.
Beyond diplomacy, Kuhns’s company has initiated essential economic development projects designed to demonstrate Bougainville’s readiness for independence.
Central among these is a groundbreaking infrastructure initiative — the first major road constructed in over 40 years connecting isolated communities across Bougainville Island.
‘When we started constructing the road, local women – who previously walked hours just to buy basic goods – were literally in tears,’ Kuhns recounted. ‘Roads, hospitals, education – these are essentials for any developing nation.’
Despite earlier setbacks with the Biden administration, Kuhns remains highly optimistic about the potential for collaboration under Trump.
Strong congressional support from key figures like Congressman Gallagher and Congressman Neil Dunn bolsters his conviction that Bougainville’s independence is attainable.
Kuhns is now planning another strategic trip to Washington, convinced that the shifting political climate is working in Bougainville’s favor.
Bougainville has a complex history of civil war and independence. As the region becomes a shifting focal point in geopolitics, Kuhns believes that the US can play in a crucial role in the island’s future
Despite limited initial success with the Biden administration, Kuhns remains optimistic, seeing strong alignment with former President Trump’s strategic and economic goals
He argues that decisive American support would dramatically shift the balance, pressuring Papua New Guinea’s parliament—which has stalled on recognizing Bougainville’s overwhelming 98 percent pro-independence vote—to finally give in.
‘If the U.S. was to support Bougainville, PNG would have no real argument,’ Kuhns asserts. ‘Then the world would say, ‘Just let them go.”
Ultimately, Kuhns sees Bougainville not merely as another aspiring nation but as a beacon of successful self-determination. Through strategic alliances and sustained economic growth, he believes Bougainville could reshape Pacific geopolitics.
‘With the right support,’ Kuhns concludes confidently, ‘Bougainville’s independence isn’t just possible; it’s inevitable.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .