BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Gold Ridge Mining Limited executive recently met with Prime Minister Matthew Wale to discuss the future of the Gold Ridge Project and its contribution to the country’s economic development.

Mingqing Gao, Executive Chairman of Gold Ridge Mining Limited and Wanguo Gold Group, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Wale at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC).

Gold Ridge Mining Limited in a statement on Tuesday this week said Mr Gao congratulated Prime Minister Wale on his election and acknowledged his leadership and service to the nation.

Mr Gao reaffirms Wanguo Gold Group’s confidence in the Solomon Islands and its commitment to develop Gold Ridge as a major mining operation that will provide long-term economic benefits to the government, landowners and the country.

“We are not the owners of resources, but partners in national development. We remain committed to working hand in hand with government and communities to make Gold Ridge a pillar of the Solomon Islands economy,” Mr Gao said.

The project contributed about 23 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2025 and paid more than SBD$510 million in taxes and royalties Gold Ridge Mining Limited said.

The company also reaffirms its commitment to the proposed SBD$6 billion expansion project.

The statement said once fully completed, the expansion project is expected to contribute around 50 percent of Solomon Islands’ GDP, about 45 percent of total government revenue, and support more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.

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BY BEN BILUA

Gizo

PREPARATIONS are underway in Gizo as the township gears up to host Prime Minister Matthew Wale and his delegation following their visit to cyclone-affected communities in Choiseul Province.

Staff from the Western Provincial Government were busy yesterday decorating the newly opened Youth Centre, which is expected to host part of the official programme during the Prime Minister’s stay in Gizo.

Hotels and accommodation providers across the township were also making final arrangements to cater for government officials and members of the visiting delegation.

The Prime Minister and his team arrived in Gizo last night after completing a visit to Sagigai Village in Choiseul Province as part of the government’s reassurance tour to communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila.

According to the official itinerary, the Prime Minister and delegation are expected to pay a courtesy visit to Western Province Premier Billy Veo this morning before travelling to communities in Ranongga and Vella La Vella.

Communities included in the visit programme are Keara in Ranongga and Iriqila in Vella La Vella, where the delegation is expected to meet with local leaders and affected residents.

Following the visits, the delegation will return to Gizo where a dinner reception will be hosted by Premier Veo on behalf of the people of Western Province.

The Prime Minister and his delegation are expected to depart Gizo tomorrow and return to Honiara later in the evening.

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

His Grace, Bishop Jacob Aba SM urges and encourages the people of Buma Parish and other parishes to build their own parish facilities and to not depend on the diocese for support.

He made this assurance during his acknowledgment speech at the feast day celebration of Buma Parish over the weekend. 

He encouraged people to avoid seeking support from outside donors and to use the God-given resources that are available to them.

He said God has blessed his people with resources, and it is part of their responsibility to make use of what they have. 

“Our diocese is now localized. Therefore, I don’t encourage asking for funds from outside. But I will encourage you to build your own facilities in your parish,” he said.

“An example of this is the facilities here in Buma Parish. Who will be building these facilities?” he asked.

“God has given the creation to redemption,” he added.

He said that God has provided all the necessary resources that He wants His people to use for the betterment of the parishes.

He said that, even though working together must be emphasised in the parishes and diocese, families must strongly uphold their daily prayer lives and regain family values.

Meanwhile, he acknowledges the church ministries in Buma Parish, as well as the chiefs, catechists, parents, and religious servants, for their commitment and dedication to the parish.

“With the shared and strong responsibility among you, there will be improvement in the parish and diocese as a whole. Once again, happy feast day, and enjoy without selfishness,” he concluded.

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BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Upper Mbokona timber bridge near the Central Bank Area is now reopened to public as of late yesterday afternoon following urgent repair works since Monday.

Thanks to the quick work of a local contractor, the BHB team, this bridge has been safely restored for everyone using this route, a statement by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) last night said.

MID said urgent repairs on the bridge include: new decking for a smoother ride, running strips for improved safety, new timber kerbs for better edge security, gabion protection banks to reinforce against erosion.

MID thanked the residents of Lengakiki, Mbokona, Mbuburu, Titinge, Taba’a and the general travelling public for their patience and cooperation during the temporary closure.

MID also reminds public that this was an immediate, urgent repair and that the full rehabilitation of the bridge will be carried out later this year.

“Please note that these were immediate, urgent repairs. A full rehabilitation of this bridge is locked in and scheduled for later this year under the Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement (CAUSE II) Project,” MID statement said.

The bridge is an important connection to the route which starts behind the Anthony Saru, near the Girl’s Guide area, up through the Mbokona, Mbuburu and Lengakiki suburbs to the Townground area.

Photo credit: MID

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PRIME Minister Mathew Wale will visit communities in Western and Choiseul Provinces affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila as part of the government’s reassurance visit with the aim  to support ongoing recovery efforts.

According to a program sighted by Island Sun, Prime Minister Wale and several government ministers will travel to Taro on a chartered flight before joining the rest of the delegation aboard a patrol boat.

The delegation is expected to pay a courtesy visit to the Premier of Choiseul Province before travelling to Sagigai Village and later continuing to Gizo in the afternoon.

Tomorrow, the Prime Minister and his delegation will meet with Western Province Premier Billy Veo and his executive before visiting communities in Keara and Iriqila.

The visit is aims to reaffirm the new government’s commitment to support affected provinces and communities, while assuring people that their welfare and recovery remains a central policy priority.

It also seeks to strengthen engagement with provincial leaders and community representatives, reinforcing continuity in response and recovery efforts following the cyclone.

All expenses for the visit are being fully funded by the Australian Government through the Australian High Commission.

The program is being coordinated and supported by the National Disaster Council to ensure effective delivery and oversight.

The National Disaster Council has acknowledged and expressed gratitude to the Australian Government for its generous support, describing it as a reflection of the strong partnership and shared commitment to recovery and resilience in Solomon Islands.

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Auki Police in Malaita Province have confirmed that they have returned stolen materials (ropes) belonging to the Taba’a Sanctuary Seaweed Farming Association in West Kwaio. 

The ropes were funded by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) under a fisheries project for the Taba’a Sanctuary Seaweed Farming Association in West Kwaio. 

A report from the Taba’a Sanctuary Seaweed Farming Association stated that the person who mistakenly took the materials pretended to be one of the association’s executive members when he obtained the materials from the ministry on an unknown date. 

The report indicated that the seaweed materials (ropes) include 318 coils of rope for transplanting of the seaweeds which cost $78,876 SBD.

In an interview with the Malaita Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea stated that the materials (ropes) were returned by community members in Ward 28 on Sunday, May 25.

He said the materials are now at the police station and will be kept at the police station until a representative of Taba’a Sanctuary Seaweed Farming Association comes to claim them.

“We have returned the stolen ropes from community members in Ward 28 yesterday.

“We will keep the ropes at the police station until a true representative of Taba’a Sanctuary Seaweed Farming Association comes before we hand the ropes over to them,” he said.

The commander appeals to communities in Malaita Province to do something that does not break the law of the country.

“I appeal to our people in our rural communities to do the right thing and not get involved in any activity that costs and affects your families,” he said.

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BY RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

The construction of the new classic agriculture office in Auki, Malaita Province, is progressing steadily.

The new office aims to strengthen and improve service delivery and significantly contribute to the growth and resilience of agriculture in the province.

It was funded by the World Bank through the Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation (SIART) project and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MAL). 

A statement by SIART on its facebook page yesterday said the construction is progressing with foundation footing.

It said after the completion of the foundation footing, a foundation slab, ground floor columns and beams, and floor block work will continue after.

Last week, MAL Minister Franklyn Derik Wasi visited the new classic agriculture office where he met with the local workers.

He said Malaita province plays a vital role in agriculture, where its people have continued to undertake sustainable livelihoods and support the local economy.

“Farmers throughout the province have contributed greatly to food security and household income generation,” he said.

The new office is being constructed by the JQY company.

Photo credit: SIART

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Attempt to clarify allegations backfires as China Railway faces fresh criticism

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

AN attempt by China Railway to clarify concerns surrounding the treatment of its workers has backfired after new reports emerged showing employees being served meals in plastic containers, sparking further public criticism.

Last week, a video of disgruntled workers went viral on social media, with employees complaining about the food provided at the mining camp.

According to the video, workers were served rice and potato mixed with coconut milk, a meal many described as inadequate for labourers involved in physically demanding work.

Responding to the backlash, China Railway claimed the meals had already been improved and described the circulating footage as outdated.

A follow-up article published by the Solomon Star attempted to explain the company’s position and the steps being taken to address the issue.

However, a photograph accompanying the article triggered fresh outrage online after it showed workers’ meals being served in plastic.

Reports reaching Island Sun indicate that food concerns are only part of wider issues allegedly affecting local employees at the mining operation.

One employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of losing his job, claimed there is unequal treatment between local and Chinese workers.

“They eat good foods such as chicken, vegetables and rice while the local employees were given a tin of baby taiyo and rice.

“Sometimes we skipped lunch and find wild vegetables to add to the baby taiyo before we eat,” the employee said.

The worker said conditions have improved slightly only after the video gained attention on the Island Sun Facebook page.

“We will continue to expose any wrongdoings or mistreatment that is happening on the ground,” the employee said.

Island Sun understands that Solomon Islands Resource Company Limited has obtained a mining licence for the Jaho and Rotue tenements.

China Railway has been contracted by Solomon Islands Resource Company Limited to carry out mining operations at Rotue.

Records from Company Haus reportedly identify China Railway as a construction engineering group company, raising concerns over its involvement in mining activities.

Questions are now being raised over why relevant authorities allowed such an arrangement to proceed.

A local geologist warned that the situation could threaten proper mining standards and create risks for the environment.

“The government needs to stop this practice. It seems to me that this mining company is not capable of carrying out mining operations in Isabel Province and elsewhere in Solomon Islands,” the geologist said.

“I want to warn the government that such arrangements will allow mining companies to escape when legal issues arise.

“One good example is the bauxite issue in Rennell,” the geologist added.

The latest revelations have intensified calls for authorities to closely monitor mining operations and ensure the welfare of local workers and environmental standards are properly protected.

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