BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The case involving the illegal alluvial mining at Upper Balasuna River in Guadalcanal is currently with the police for investigation.
Minister of Mines and Rural Electrification, Derrick Manuari, confirmed this yesterday when responding to Question No 33 “Prospecting Activities on Balasuna River” by Opposition leader Mathew Wale.
Under this question, Wale asked about what actions taken by the government to stop the illegal prospecting activities on Balasuna River, the name of the company doing the prospecting activities and thirdly, if government will seek to charge and prosecute individuals and company directors, shareholders involved.
Minister Manuari explained that the operator does not go through a normal process and the illegality of it is not only in terms of the licensing processes but also in the manner in which it is operated.
He said that the Guadalcanal Police had visited the site, ceased all operations and removed all machines following a police request to immediately cease activities on the 21st of February and a stop notice, along with a verification report issued to the miners in March.
“We have no record of the name of the company because they have not gone through the normal application process for an Alluvial mining permit. But upon findings, it was revealed that the name of the company is AAA. So, since the company have not applied in a normal way, it has never gone through the process of being issued a mineral rights or PL prospecting license, or negotiating a surface agreement or surface access rights agreement, or issued any letter of intent, no.
“The company has never carried out any prospecting activities that would have led them to submit any commercial discovery, or feasibility study or conduct environmental impact assessment studies, which are the requirements for the normal process of fulfilling,” said Manuari.
He also assured the house that the government, through his ministry is taking the matter seriously.
“Yes, indeed, the Mines and Minerals Act has allowed the Ministry to report on those involved in illegal mining activities, and the Ministry has done that. The report is now with the police to deal with it. The role of the Ministry is to report. So, the case is before the police to proceed from there,” he said when responding to the question, will the government seek to charge or prosecute the individuals and companies involved.
The Minister also strongly warns that the Ministry under his leadership has condemned and would not tolerate such illegal activities.
“I must say that the ministry is not encouraging such illegal activities. Engaging in illegal mining activities without a license constitutes a criminal offence and is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Mines,” he said.
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Illegal is clear definition of An offence committed . Those who committed illegal mining or illegal Prospecting are subject to direct prosection maybe remnanded in custody. But those who implemented orders collaborated so nothing has been done.This has affected our economy 10 years ago. So who is to be blame Head of Prosecution or Private 6company with under table dealings. In this regards .