BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
A fifth mining operation is set to commence at Korona, San Jorge Island, Isabel Province, raising fresh concerns among local communities over the future of their environment and livelihoods.
Although the name of the company remains unclear, reports reaching Island Sun confirm that heavy machinery and equipment landed at Korona last week, signalling the start of preparations for mining activities.
The Korona area, previously subjected to large-scale logging, now faces the additional threat of mining.
Community leaders say the development took them by surprise.
Chief Paul Fota of Talise Village on San Jorge Island told Island Sun that there was no consultation with communities prior to the arrival of machines and workers.
“We were stunned when the shipload of machines came and landed at Korona. I don’t remember any consultation or even meeting before this happened. It’s worrying because our environment has already been threatened by existing mining operations and logging,” he said.
Fota explained that Thousand Ship Bay is a vital source of food and income for surrounding communities and now its at risk of being destroyed by unchecked resource exploitation.
“Communities rely on Thousand Ship Bay for protein, especially fish, seashells, crabs, and other marine life. Our lives are at risk.
“We will soon die of food poisoning, hunger and other issues. Our children will no longer enjoy the foods we used to eat.
“This is serious and I call on the government to address these issues,” he said.
Currently, Isabel Province hosts two full-scale mining operations at Suma and Havihua, with ongoing prospecting at Jaho (mainland Isabel), Bugusile, and now Korona, both located on San Jorge Island.
The growing number of mining activities in the province has sparked widespread fears that the long-term environmental and social impacts may outweigh short-term economic gains, leaving communities vulnerable and voiceless in the face of rapid development.
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