-Gold Ridge mine stands still following burning and damage of company properties by unknown ‘group of people’
-Cost of damage still assessed

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Gold Ridge Mining Ltd (GRML) operation in Central Guadalcanal has been placed on hold following the burning and damage of machines that occurred on Tuesday night this week.

It is still unclear how much the damage is worth, but the company said it is quite substantial since a huge number of its properties were burnt.

Speaking in an exclusive interview yesterday, Chairman of Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL) and a Director of GRML, Walton Naezon said that a dialogue was held yesterday between Government representatives, the company, and the Gold Ridge Land Owners Council to identify a solution to the cause of the problem.

“Stakeholders come together to identify the cause of the problem. So those are the areas of concern. Work still halted since there are things yet to be settled. We have to re-structure work place, repair machine,” Mr Naezon said.

He said that those involved in the burning should go through their council rather than taking things into their own hands.

“The situation has now returned to normalcy and is under control. Work will continue as things are settled,” he said.

He calls on the government, leaders, Land Owners (LOs), chiefs, women, and youth to work together for a safe, smooth future operation.

“I regret and am sad about what happened. GRML contributed more than 40 percent of GDP -it’s a national project, and thus, everyone should have a concern over it,” he said.

He said that the Gold Ridge Landowners (LO) council is responsible for dealing with the LO concerns to the company and the Government.

He said the GRML is operated through a government taskforce, the Gold Ridge Task Force, co-chaired by the Minister of Mines and the Minister of Police.

“All these things are inside a matrix. For example, the issue raised by LO should have been addressed by the Government, not the company. Under the matrix, each party has its priority areas, the company, Government, the LO council, the Ministry of Mines etc,” he said.

He adds that the operation is conducted under three agreements; agreement between LO and the Company, the LO and the Government and the Company and the Government.

“For example, the government is responsible to pave way for the company’s development for Los concerns. However blame always goes to the company when issues arise, which should not be the case,” he said.

-Around 30 machines damaged, burnt at Gold Ridge mine site; police say situation under control and investigations underway
-Landowners say incident is the result of mistreatment, false promises and long-outstanding issues

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Around 30 machines on the Gold Ridge Mining sites were damaged and burnt on Tuesday night, Jan 20 by a group of ‘unknown individuals’.
Police have said it has the situation under control, and the company has said it is working closely with police and community leaders to ‘investigate the root cause of the incident and identify those responsible’.
Meanwhile, people from the communitie on Gold Ridge say the incident was a result of peaked frustration among landowners over false promises and long-outstanding issues.
Jerry Tisili, who took a video of the burning at Bita village, not far from the mining site, said the incident occurred between 9pm and 10pm.
He said that a number of the company’s machines were burnt during the incident.
“The main reason behind the incident is the issues that the company promised to address, but was halted and delayed. One of the common ones is the Royalty, which always comes in half, including the mistreatment of landowners (LO),” Tisili said.
He said that the company promised to build a clinic, water supply, school, and road access – but has not done so to this day.
“Every stream and river at Gold Ridge is polluted with cyanide. Previous companies built something here, not like this one,” he said.
Aldrin Smith an elder at Bita village told Island Sun that one of the leading factors in the incident is the unfair treatment by the police.
“They treat us LOs badly. Sometimes they chase us. When they treated us like that, we could not go back to work the other day because of fear, though that’s what we depend on for money,” he said.
“When they chased us, they took our bags of high mineral content soil to pan them for themselves, leaving us with nothing at the end of the day when we returned home,” he said.
He alleged that when police officers take the high mineral content soil, they don’t return it to the company but take it for their own benefit.
“So, we always work with fear. Whenever we saw a police vehicle, we must escape,” he said.
Yesterday Premier of Guadalcanal Province Willie Atu appealed for calm and constructive engagement over the Gold Ridge unrest in a press statement.
He expressed deep concerns over the burning of machines and properties at Gold Ridge Mining Limited.
He assured the public that the Provincial Government is firmly committed to collectively engage with Gold Ridge Mining Limited, Gold Ridge Investment Company Limited, the chiefs and elders of the surrounding communities at Gold Ridge, the Ministry of Police and National Security, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and other stakeholders to seek a peaceful and amicable resolution to the issues at hand.
About 30 machines were burnt down, according to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) yesterday, which has commenced its investigation into the incident.
It was alleged that those unknown people who burnt down those machines were not happy with the company for not addressing their long-outstanding issues, RSIPF said.
Acting Commissioner of the RSIPF Mathias Lenialu, said police have contained the situation and will deal with those who are responsible for the burning incident.
The Gold Ridge Mining Company issued a statement last night condemning the incident and calling for cooperation with the police and restoring of stability in the communities.
“We take this incident seriously. Our focus is on safety, cooperation with the police, and restoring stability while investigations continue.”
At this stage, there is no immediate risk to surrounding communities, the statement said.
While a full investigation is ongoing, overall operations at the Gold Ridge Mine continue. Safety protocols have been reinforced, and additional monitoring measures are being implemented across the site.
Leaders across Guadalcanal are proactively working with the Company to manage the situation, including:
-Peter Shanel Agovaka, Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal
-Bradley Tovosia, Member of Parliament for East Guadalcanal
-Willie Dai, Member of the Provincial Assembly for Vulolo Ward
-The Guadalcanal Provincial Government
-Chiefs, landowners, and community leaders, including the Gold Ridge Community & Landowners Council (GRCLC)
These engagements are aimed at sharing verified information, promoting calm, and ensuring that communities understand the importance of cooperation and lawful processes while investigations are underway, the Gold Ridge mining company statement said.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Headquarters has temporarily closed as of Wednesday, January 21.
MID said that the closure will take effects to Friday, January 23rd, and normal operations at the Headquarters will resume on Monday, January 26th, 2026.
“Clients and Service Seekers, please be advised that the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Headquarters will be temporarily closed from Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, to Friday, January 23rd, 2026, MID said.
The MID said this closure is necessary to facilitate the safe removal and decontamination of asbestos by licensed professionals, ensuring full compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
The MID advised Clients and Service Seekers to visit the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (Counter 5) or the Panatina Plaza Branch for inspection fees, driving test fees, laboratory fees, or tenders during this period for Payments.
According to MID, their Transport Infrastructure and Land Transport Management Division (located at the Works Compound, Mataniko Riverside) will remain open, and Vehicle inspections, driving tests, and laboratory operations will proceed as scheduled.
Staff from Corporate Services, Architecture & Building Service Management, and the Executive team will work remotely and remain on standby for any essential services required, MID adds.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding as we prioritise the safety of our staff and the public,” MID concludes.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
MEMBER of the Western Provincial Government for Ward 3 Nusa Simbo, Gideon Tuke, will convene a meeting with community leaders, tribal chiefs and landowners this week to chart a new direction for Simbo Island and the use of its resources.
Speaking to Island Sun, Tuke said the meeting aims to “reposition” Simbo in response to growing pressure on land and natural resources caused by rapid population growth and the impacts of climate change.
“So, what I’m trying to do is to secure some sort of understanding between my people to address some of the pressing issues.
“As someone who grew up on this island, I have seen huge changes in population and in the availability of resources on the land,” he said.
Tuke said the discussions will focus on setting clear guidelines on how communities live, plan settlements and harvest resources in a sustainable manner.
“This meeting will set some sort of guidelines on how people live and how resources should be harvested. This is very important for future generations,” he said.
Tuke said Simbo is made up of two islands with fertile land capable of sustaining the current population and several generations to come.
However, he said continued population growth, coupled with rising sea levels, could quickly make land scarce.
“If the population continues to grow and the sea level continues to rise, land will become limited – adding that mitigation plans must be put in place now to avoid more serious challenges in the future,” Tuke said.
He said the outcomes of the meeting will be documented and formally presented to the Western Provincial Government for further deliberation and possible policy action.
“Another objective of this meeting is to seek the people’s views on the subject of relocation. This is very important.
“Like many other low-lying communities, my people will need to be relocated when the time comes,” Tuke said.
He said relocation should be prioritised in the Western Provincial Government’s 10-year Strategic Plan, stressing that climate change and sea level rise are ongoing realities that must be factored into long-term planning.
“Climate change will not stop, and neither will sea level rise, so it is important to include such priorities in the strategic plan,” Tuke said.

BY MORRIS NAFU
Police has said an investigation is underway into the damage and burning of more than 30 machines at the Gold Ridge mining site.
Police investigations are underway to identify and apprehend individuals responsible for the unlawful damage to company assets, a revised police statement last night said.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night.
An initial assessment of the incident is currently being conducted, and further updates will be provided as information becomes available, police said.
Police said the situation has been contained and public order has been restored.
“Police have secured the area and will take appropriate action against those responsible for disrupting a lawful operation,” Acting Commissioner of Police, Mathias Lenialu said.
He added that RSIPF investigators are actively gathering evidence and working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, including identifying all persons involved.
Lenialu has appealed to all parties and stakeholders connected to the matter to engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue to address concerns in a manner that supports national development, investor confidence, and respect for the rule of law.
“The RSIPF strongly encourages dialogue and mutual understanding among all stakeholders involved in the Gold Ridge Mining investment,” he said.
“By addressing grievances constructively, parties can work towards solutions that benefit communities, investors, and the nation as a whole.”
The RSIPF also calls on community leaders and law-abiding citizens who may have information relating to this incident to come forward and assist police with their investigations to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The RSIPF remains committed to maintaining law and order, protecting lawful investments, and upholding professionalism and impartiality in the discharge of its duties.
The RSIPF wishes to reassure investors, resource owners, employees, and the government that Solomon Islands remains committed to a stable, secure, and predictable environment for lawful investment and employment.
Police presence in and around the Gold Ridge mining operation has been reinforced to ensure the safety of workers, protection of assets, and continuity of lawful operations.

BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA
The ministry of education and human resources (MEHRD) has advised school principals and teachers to comply with the approved academic calendar.
Teachers who fail to report on time will be dealt with accordingly, MEHRD warned in a statement yesterday.
MEHRD said schools are required to commence strictly on the date of commencement, which is January 26.
School principals intending to begin their school’s academic year later than January 26 must submit a written justification in writing through their Educational Provider to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources (MEHRD).
A failure to comply will be regarded as non-compliance and they will be dealt with accordingly.
MEHRD also outlines expectations for teachers ahead of the new school year.
It is expected that teachers should report to their schools at least one-week before classes starts, this is to ensure they prepare and plan ahead.
School Principals are also required to record teacher’s attendance during this period and report absences to the Education Provider.
MEHRD adds that teachers who fails to report to duty for two consecutive weeks must be formally reported to the MEHRD Teaching Service Division for appropriate action.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
A family at Koroivuku Village on Ranongga Island in Western Province is still waiting for promised disaster assistance more than a year after their home was blown away by a tornado.
Speaking to Island Sun, Chris Podokolo of Koroivuku said a government assessment team had already visited the area and a damage report was compiled and submitted to the responsible ministry for further consideration, but no response has been received to date.
“It’s been a year since we met with the government team. We were instructed to establish a local disaster committee to assess the damage and submit a report.
“We did exactly as we were told, but nothing has been forthcoming,” he said.
Podokolo said the prolonged silence has caused frustration for the affected family, who have been relying on support from relatives and the wider community to rebuild their lives with very limited resources.
Podokolo said the family will not be able to fully rebuild their house to its original standard due to the lack of external assistance.
He went to say that the recent bad weather has also damaged food gardens in the area, further worsening the situation for families who depend on subsistence farming.
“As a result, many community members now fear that submitting damage reports may be a waste of time.
“The failure to respond has forced people to lose confidence in the national government,” Podokolo said.
He said the community disaster committee has compiled another report on damages caused by the latest bad weather and submitted it to the provincial government, hoping it will receive attention.
“We don’t know what will happen from there. For now, we are just waiting and doing what we can to help the affected families,” Podokolo said.
He said the community disaster committee is looking forward to receiving updates from the responsible authorities regarding the long-awaited disaster support.

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Leader Opposition Matthew Wale has raised grave concern over sexual harassment claims at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) and has called for an investigation into the matter.
Mr Wale, in his press statement yesterday, described the allegations as serious and require a thorough investigation after the concern was raised in the media this week by the General Secretary of the Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) John Muaki.
“Any abuse against women in the workplace or in our communities must not be ignored or taken lightly. I am urging the Ministry of Health to investigate these claims and take appropriate action,” Wale said.
He said the safety and well-being of women at the NRH must be guaranteed.
He said sexual harassment is a serious criminal offence and is particularly concerning when it is allegedly committed by a senior NRH executive who is expected to protect staff at the hospital.
He said women nurses, doctors, and health professionals at the NRH play a critical role in ensuring the hospital operates effectively.
“80 percent of employees at the NRH are women, and their safety in the workplace must be protected at all costs. The quality of services and commitment to patient care also depend on how safe women feel at work,” he said.
He also called for an independent investigation following claims by SINA that the initial investigation was stalled because the alleged perpetrator was the chairperson of the disciplinary committee.
The Office of the Leader Opposition spoke with NRH workers, who confirmed that the allegations have existed for some time but were never properly addressed.
“I urge the responsible minister and the permanent secretary to ensure these claims are fully investigated, and appropriate action is taken. This is essential to maintain trust and respect for women at the NRH,” Wale said.

BY SYLVANA TEKUMAHA

Premier for Guadalcanal Province Willie Atu has expressed deep concern over the burning of machines and properties at the Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) on Tuesday night (January 20).

According to the Guadalcanal Provincial Social Media Page, Mr Atu appeals for calm and constructive engagement over the unrest and urges those engaged in the activity to remain calm and refrain from further destruction.

“Such unlawful actions will risk further divisions and weaken the peaceful existence,” he said.

He assured the public that the Provincial Government is firmly committed to collectively engage with GRML, Gold Ridge Investment Company Limited, the chiefs and elders of the surrounding communities at Gold Ridge, the Ministry of Police and National Security, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and other stakeholders to seek a peaceful resolution to the issues at hand.

“Please embrace a spirit of peacefulness so that meaningful dialogues can take place,” he said.

Atu said it is only through unity, respect, and constructive engagement that we can resolve such matters in a way that safeguards our communities, our environment, and the future of our Guadalcanal.

An investigation has been launched regarding the issue since 30 machines were burnt down by unknown people.

It was alleged it was because of the unknown group of people are not happy since the company for not addressing their long-outstanding issues.