BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

Solomon Islands Resource Company limited [SIRCL] has moved camp following last week’s court ruling.

This time, the mining company is expecting to establish a new camp at an area called Jaho, close to Lelegia village in Isabel Province.

A source on the ground said operation at Suma has stopped and all the machine are now grounded except few machines that are currently engaging in road a constructing from Suma to Kologajoga.

“Operation here has stopped since last week and all of the machines are now grounded. Few machines have been transported to Jaho and some of the machines are engaged in constructing a new road from Suma to Kologajoga,” the source said.

The source said landowners are monitoring the situation and movements of Chinese employees so as machines from Suma Camp to Jaho Camp.

In an exclusive interview with Island Sun, Ethel Claudia Lency said the legal battle is done and now the company must pay the price of ignoring the country’s laws and regulations.

She said the ruling will bring families and tribe together with an open mind, to renew relationships and take the next step.

“It was challenging as a family and tribe. We agree to disagree on issues but the high court decision will mend our relationships for the better,” Lency said.

She said the next task is to make sure the company pays for breaching the country’s laws and also the damages done to the environment.

Lency said instructions have been issued to landowners on the ground to stop the company from moving any machineries on Suma Camp site until SIRCL pays all its due to the landowners and others concerned.

“I received reports that SIRCL is moving some of its machineries to Jaho and we will deal with them legally.

“If they fail to listen, we will confiscate all the machineries’ keys if it matters,” she said.

Moving forward, Lency said, the idea of welcoming a new mining company is on the table but not soon.

“It’s too early to tell you the exact date and time but what I will tell you is that, this time, we will ensure that, processes will be done in accordance to prescribed laws and regulations of the country,” she said.

Lency registered her acknowledgement to her tribe and her family for their prayers and support.

She also acknowledged the lawyers who presented the case.

Island Sun understand that the high court ruled in favour of Ethel Claudia Lency and the Thavia tribe in what many described as a landmark case.

The lawsuit was filed to determine whether the mining lease was approved in accordance to key provisions under the Mines and Minerals Act (MMA) and the Land and Titles Act (LTA).

Arguments brought before the High Court was to prove poor registration of land, poor feasibility study, and the company’s failure to adhere to gaps identified by independent consultants.

Verdict by the High Court determined that Mining Lease No. ML 01/2022, granted to Solomon Islands Resources Company Limited, is void in law, effectively halting mining operations on Suma Kolosori customary land in Isabel Province.

The High Court ruled that the mining lease is null and void, therefore the company and other respondents including the Attorney General representing the Minister of Mines are legally prohibited from carrying out mining operations on the land.

In her ruling, Presiding Judge, Justice Maelyn Bird cited the Sumitomo Case [2006] and Hiva V. Mindu [2009] which reinforces the importance of the protection of customary land under Solomon Islands laws.

“While the mining company had executed a Surface Access Rights Agreement (SARA) with landowners, this did not replace the legal requirement to register the lease under Section 39 of the MMA and Section 146 of the LTA,” she explained.

Costs were ordered against all respondents jointly and/or severally.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members have successfully concluded “Operation Kurukuru 2025”, which targeted Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Pacific.

The operation was reported to be the region’s largest coordinated maritime surveillance, and marks the inaugural implementation of the FFA’s Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance (RMSS) Strategy 2024-2029.

According to FFA, the strategy is a coordinated regional plan from its 15 members including Australia and New Zealand, aimed to counter IUU fishing in the Pacific.

The strategy focuses on strengthening vessel oversight, ensuring catch traceability, and integrating surveillance efforts through regional cooperation and advanced tools like remote sensing and intelligence-driven surveillance.

Key goals include reducing IUU fishing, ensuring laws can be monitored and enforced, and implementing digital monitoring and reporting tools to support national and regional strategies.

In a press conference yesterday, FFA officials shared key highlights of Operation Kurukuru, which resulted in the arrest of a vessel, Hua Sheng 1, on Wednesday this week at the Indispensable Reefs, 50km South of Rennel Bellona.

During the operation, which highly coordinated by 17 FFA members, more than 30 million square kilometres of Pacific region were covered.

A total of 56 vessel sightings, 126 vessel boardings, 11 vessels of interest and 1 vessel being detained.

FFA Director General, Noan David Pakop in his statement said Operation Kurukuru 2025 is more than just an annual surveillance exercise. It marks the first full year implementation of our Regional MCS Strategy.

“It demonstrates how policy commitments are being put into action through coordinated patrols, intelligence sharing and targeted enforcement.

“Our members are using data and technology more effectively than ever to protect their tuna resources,” he said.

Island Sun reported yesterday that the vessel, which found with local and foreign crews, is being detained at the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime Unit Aola Patrol Base, awaiting investigation.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resource (MFMR), which played pivotal role together with FFA and RSIPF in the operation, said investigation on this locally flagged vessel begun yesterday.

A spokesperson told Island Sun on Thursday that if the investigation found some breach of law, then, penalties would then be imposed whether through fine or court.

“Now it is still in the early stage of investigation,” said the spokesperson.

At the moment, it is too early to say whether the vessel was involved in illegal fishing or breached conditions with FFA.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Two to three tropical cyclones are predicted for the season of November 2025 to April 2026 according to the Tropical Cyclone Season 2025-2026 outlook for Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) officially released the 2025-26 Outlook on Friday, 31 October 2025.

The SIMS said that the Tropical cyclone season is essential as the season starts on 1 November 2025.

“Time to prepare now for the season – our families, communities and properties for the season. The tropical cyclone season is also our wet season and it associates with strong winds, heavy rainfall and rough seas,” SIMS said in a statement.

Edward Maru, Deputy Director of Solomon Islands Meteorological Service said in his Facebook awareness post that cyclone season and wet season in the Southern hemisphere including Solomon Islands starts on November 01st, 2025 to April 30th, 2026.

Maru said that people living near rivers should take proper care and prepare to move to high grounds as heavy rain from wet season poses the risk of flash flooding.

“People living near or on hilltops should also take precautions for potential landslides. Tropical cyclone can form anytime during the season within Solomon waters or from our neighbouring country and move towards us, eg, Vanuatu Australia and Fiji,” he said.

He advised that Tropical Cyclone can cause extreme winds, rough seas and high swells which can lead to coastal flooding.

“It doesn’t mean that only severe cyclone can cause big damages. Even if it is a low-pressure or tropical low, the weather office can make announcement of weather warnings or alert,” he said.

He said in the past, the country experienced flooding from heavy rains despite the absence of a cyclone.

“Listen to weather office for warnings and national disaster management office (NDMO) for what to do information. Listen to SIBC, FMs, other media outlets or check out weather office -met service Facebook page for more updates or call weather forecasting office at 933 or 27658 for more updates and NDMO on phone, 677 27936/7, 27063 or Toll-free 955,” Maru advised.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

World Wide Fund for Nature Solomon Islands (WWF-SI) Conservation Manager, Henry Kaniki said WWF-SI acknowledges the challenges faced by local sea grapes farmers in Western Province.

He said WWF SI is partnering with four communities in the Western Province, namely; Kongulavata, Sairagi, Boboe, and Pusiju.

He said this partnership is to support sustainable sea grapes harvesting andto improve local livelihoods and empower and promote the conservation of marine ecosystems through nature-based solution

“Obvious challenge for sea grapes is the high sea temperature. It affects sea grapes growth. The communities themselves even noticed,” Kaniki said.

He said people also experienced most of their sea grapes close to the shoreline dying during dry weather.

“This usually occurs during low tides. However, when the high tides come back, the sea grapes started to recover and grew faster again. This related to climate change,” he said.

He said that sea grapes usually grow healthy when the sea condition is favourable.

“For example, it quickly grew and branch out after two weeks later after harvesting. It is quick to recover and grow,” he said.

He said the other challenge is overharvesting by villagers despite them having rules in place.

“You know what happens at the rural communities. So, when there is overharvesting, sea grapes take time to grow or recover.

“Even though they have rules in place, others can still break the rules.

“Thus, our team continues to provide capacity trainings to ease these challenges,” he said.

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BY MORRIS NAFU

The Makira-Ulawa Provincial Government has kick started a major agriculture initiative by resuming presence in its Okea land, North Guadalcanal Plains.

The provincial government, under the People Alliance for Change and Advancement (PACRA) administration, recommitted to the Kakake land in Okea, North Guadalcanal Plains, during a customary Chupu ceremony on Wednesday, attended by representatives from Guadalcanal Provincial Government and the land-owning Ghaobata tribe.

The 6.8-hectare parcel, acquired by the province in 1997, is scheduled for redevelopment as part of efforts to boost local revenue through investments.

Provincial Premier Stanley Siapu led the initiative, emphasising its significance beyond mere formality.

“This event is a homecoming, a reconnection to land of historical and spiritual importance.

“We return not as claimants, but as family, with humility and gratitude, to reaffirm our bond with the Okea land and its people,” Siapu said.

He added that the move fulfills their forefather’s visions for provincial betterment, with the aim to generate internal revenue and reduce reliance on national funding.

Guadalcanal Provincial Premier, Willie Atu confirmed the land’s legal status was already established, describing the gathering as a vital affirmation of customary traditions.

“I respect and uphold Makira Ulawa’s gesture, and Guadalcanal is open to this partnership,” Atu said.

In showing support to the Makira Province, Premier Atu attended the programme with the majority of his government MPAs.

Following the ceremony, the province signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) to develop the site.

The land’s history traces back to investments by the Makira Economic Development Authority (MEDA), a provincial business arm.

Proceeds from a joint venture with Vanuatu-based Frabell, a Philippine company, funded the purchase for commercial use, including a property in Kola Ridge.

Under manager Caesar, MEDA grew from zero to a million dollars in returns.

However, the deportation of the MEDA general manager by the national government in the late 1990s triggered a decline, leaving the land undeveloped for 28 years and incurring costs.

The Chupu ceremony marks a revival, enabling redevelopment.

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