Misima Island

Misima Island is an island in Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea, part of the Louisiade Archipelago in the eastern part of the country. It is a volcanic island with coastal villages and tropical vegetation and has served as a local administrative and service centre for surrounding smaller islands.

The island’s principal settlement is Bwagaoia. In the late 20th century Misima was the site of commercial gold-mining activity which influenced the island’s economy and infrastructure; large-scale mining operations have since ceased and local livelihoods are based on fishing, subsistence gardening and small-scale commerce.

Misima lies within the Milne Bay maritime province of eastern Papua New Guinea and is reached by sea or regional air services to nearby islands and mainland access points.

• Main settlement: Principal settlement on the island is the village of Bwagaoia, which functions as the local administrative and service centre.
• Mining history: The island has a history of commercial gold mining undertaken in the late 20th century; the mine is no longer in continuous large-scale operation.