IPYF applauds Mines and Mineral Board decision

BY BEN BILUA

THE ISABEL Provincial Youth Forum (IPYF) has applauded the Mines and Mineral Board (MMB) for its decision to deny prospecting licence to applicants during an MMB meeting this week.

This meeting was reported to have taken place as a result from pressure by the government, in relation to the Isabel Nickel project.

On Wednesday of this week, the Mines and Mineral Board met to deliberate on issues surrounding the Isabel Mining Project.

However, news of the meeting was met with a lot of criticism from leaders, scholars and youths of Isabel province, describing the proposed meeting as ‘rushing Isabel into mining’.

On Wednesday, IPYF submitted a petition letter reminding the Mines and Mineral Board of the communique the Isabel Tripod leadership had presented government.

The communique spells out Isabel leaders’ stand on being given time to address issues pertaining the Nickel project, such as land disputes etc.

It is understood that MMB has inclined to IPYF’s request and has placed applications as pending, with the meeting adjourned for next week.

In a statement to Island Sun, IPYF administration and members expressed their great appreciation for the sound decision by the MMB to put on hold all consideration to grant prospecting licence to interested mining companies who have been eyeing tenements in Isabel province.

“Knowing fully well and appreciating the independence of the MMB, the Forum acknowledges the exercising of such powers by the Board in this decision.

“We uphold the Tripods Resolution, we cannot work away from its spirit and come up with our own agenda.

“This is why the Paramount Chief was pushing for Youth to be in the Tripod,” the statement says.

IPYF is a charitable organisation registered under the Charitable Act of Solomon Islands.

The platform provide an avenue for Youths, leaders, chiefs, women and religious organisation of Isabel province to share, debate and map out what is significant to the future of Isabel Province.

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