By Mike Puia
MINING company, Axiom has begun operations, it is reported.
This follows last week’s granting of the mining lease on the Isabel Nickel project in San Jorge to the company by the national ministry of mines.
The government, through the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, issued a Mining Lease to Axiom Mining Limited early last week.
The lease was issued by Minister for Mines, Bradley Tovosia, which now allows Axiom to proceed with its nickel harvesting operation on San Jorge Island in Isabel Province.
This paper’s attempt to get a copy of the ML was unsuccessful. But, Managing Director of Axiom Mining Limited, Ryan Mount, confirmed this report during the weekend.
Mr Mount confirmed their operation has commenced.
Reports reaching this paper claimed the Court of Appeal has quashed Axiom’s Prospecting License therefore any issuing of Mining Lease is null and void.
But, Mount said the High Court and Court of Appeal decisions have not disqualified their PL and ML.
He said this has been confirmed by the Court of Appeal and the Attorney General.
“In Fact the San Jorge PL was never part of the court proceedings,” Mount added.
He also brushed aside claims landowners have fights off its employees which disturbed its operations.
Mount said their operation on San Jorge is continuing freely with the support of the government and landowners.
