Mines Minister Manuari says cancellation of gold dealer licences part of wider transition in reform and strengthening governance of gold sector
BY TONY IROGA
Government has refuted the Opposition leader’s accusation that it has misled the country in announcing that it had cancelled gold dealers’ licences.
Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare had said over the weekend that despite government’s announcement that it had cancelled gold dealer licences there are still 10 active gold dealer licences.
“No show-cause process has been invoked, no lawful cancellation procedure has been activated, and no evidence has been presented that any of the statutory grounds for cancellation have been established,” Mr Sogavare said.
“The Prime Minister therefore owes the country an explanation. Solomon Islanders deserve facts, not headlines. If the Government intends to reform the gold trading sector, it must do so lawfully, transparently and honestly.
“It is a serious public misrepresentation on a matter affecting miners, dealers, investors, provincial stakeholders and public confidence in the administration of the law.
Sogavare called on the Prime Minister to immediately correct the record and tell the nation:
-Which specific Gold Dealer Licences have been cancelled.
-On what date each cancellation took effect.
-What statutory ground was relied on in each case.
-Whether each licence holder was issued a show-cause notice as required by law.
-Whether any appeal rights have been triggered under the Act.
“If the Prime Minister cannot provide those answers, then he should withdraw his statement and apologise for misleading the public,” Sogavare said.
In response, Mines Minister Derick Manuari said there was nothing misleading about government’s position, adding that ‘Government’s decision regarding Gold Dealer Licences (GDLs) forms part of a broader reform programme’.
Mr Manuari emphasised that due process is being followed and that the cancellation of licences is only one component of a wider transition aimed at reforming and strengthening governance of the gold sector.
“This is not simply about cancelling licences. The Government is implementing a comprehensive transition from the existing Gold Dealer Licensing regime to a new framework that will provide greater transparency, accountability, oversight and national benefit from our gold resources,” Manuari said.
He said Caucus has already endorsed the policy direction to transition away from the current Gold Dealer Licensing framework.
Manuari said necessary reforms also support the establishment of a State-Owned Holding Company (SOHC) that will facilitate Government participation, investment, oversight and strategic management of the sector.
“The cancellation of existing licences is the final step in a process that includes due diligence reviews, legal requirements, transitional arrangements, and the establishment of a stronger regulatory and commercial framework for the sector,” he said.
The Minister further clarified that since taking office, no new Gold Dealer Licences have been issued.
He said of the almost 40 licences previously issued, only 10 remain active.
Manuari said all other licences are currently undergoing compliance reviews and due diligence processes as part of the Government’s reform programme.
“The Mines Division is undertaking comprehensive compliance assessments of all active licence holders. These reviews are necessary to ensure accountability and to address longstanding mismanagement that have undermined effective regulation of the sector,” Manuari said.
“The current licensing framework has exposed Government to potential revenue leakage, under-reporting, illicit trading risks and broader governance concerns. These are issues that this Government is determined to address through meaningful reform.
“Absence of political will by successive governments to reform and strengthen governance in the sector has resulted in a lot of mess that we are now trying to sort out, and of all people, the Opposition Leader should know better.”
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