Government has come out to explain the actions of the Mines and Energy minister in cancelling the prospecting licence of a company for the mineral rich Koloula catchment in South Guadalcanal.

Responding to a call from the Opposition Leader questioning the cancellation, a Government Communication Unit in a statement this week clarified the air over the matter.

The Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE) wishes to address public concerns regarding Minister Bradley Tovosia’s recent decision to revoke the intention to issue a prospecting license to Ni Hao Investment (SI) Ltd over Koloula, the statement said.

After careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders, the intention was decided to be revoked.

The Ministry would like to assure the public that this decision was made in the best interest of the country and its resources.

MMERE remains committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in all matters related to mining and energy in the Solomon Islands.

Minister Tovosia acknowledges the discussions and differing opinions surrounding this decision and seeks clarity, the statement said.

The following key points outline the rationale and legal basis for the Minister’s decision:

i. Due Process and Consideration

The Minerals Board reviewed the renewal application from Ni Hao Investment (SI) Ltd in its meeting on 6th February 2024. Following a comprehensive assessment, the Board recommended rejecting the application. However, in exercising his statutory authority, the Minister conditionally approved the application, emphasizing strict compliance with prospecting requirements.

Minister Tovosia’s decision was based on the principles of due process and fair consideration, considering all relevant factors. By approving the renewal application with conditions, the Minister aimed to balance the interests of both the investor and the state, ensuring that all legal requirements were met. This decision reflects a careful and deliberative approach to governing natural resource investments, prioritizing accountability and transparency in decision-making processes.

ii. Conditions of Approval

As part of the conditional approval, a Letter of Intent was issued on 26th August 2024, explicitly requiring the successful negotiation and conclusion of a Surface Access Agreement (SAA) before formally issuing the prospecting license. This condition is a standard requirement to ensure lawful access and minimize disputes.

The Surface Access Agreement will clarify the terms and conditions for access to the land for prospecting activities. It will outline the responsibilities of both parties and establish guidelines for environmental protection and restoration. By prioritizing legal compliance and cooperation, the government aims to foster positive relationships between resource investors and local communities, promoting sustainable regional development.

iii. Community Concerns and Access Issues

The Ministry received multiple objections from key stakeholders, including local landowners and community representatives, raising serious concerns about accessibility and consent for prospecting activities in the proposed area. These objections highlighted the lack of guarantees that Ni Hao Investment (SI) Ltd would secure full and unhindered access to conduct prospecting operations.

iv. Minister’s Statutory Responsibility

Given the significance of landowner concerns and the potential for operational difficulties, the Minister acted within his legal mandate to ensure that any approved prospecting activity has a reasonable prospect of success. The absence of clear access assurances would have posed significant obstacles to effective mineral exploration. Therefore, the Minister prioritised addressing these objections and working with Ni Hao Investment (SI) Ltd to establish a clear plan for securing access to the proposed area.

The Minister fulfilled his statutory responsibility to promote responsible and successful mineral exploration while respecting landowners’ concerns. This proactive approach ultimately paved the way for a more collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship between all parties involved in the prospecting activities.

v. Final Decision

In light of these developments, the Minister determined that proceeding with the issuance of the prospecting license would not be in the best interest of the stakeholders involved, nor would it align with the ministry’s commitment to responsible and conflict-free resource development.

Consequently, the decision to revoke the intention to issue the prospecting license was made by legal and procedural frameworks. This decision marked a significant turning point in the ministry’s approach to resource development, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and responsible decision-making.

MMERE reiterates its commitment to transparency, responsible resource management, and stakeholder engagement.

“We encourage open dialogue and cooperation among all parties to ensure the sustainable development of the nation’s mineral resources.”

War wrecks not covered by international agreements. Largest ship grave in front of Honiara

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

In front of Honiara lies Solomon Islands’ largest number of World War II wrecks beneath the Iron Bottom Sound sea, posing a huge environmental disaster risk.

But, to date, there is no international agreement to address this risk in the case that the oil products contained in the wrecks start leaking.

Paul Irving, marine pollution officer for the PAC Plan Resilience Project from Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), raised the concern to Island Sun in an exclusive interview this week.

“3,500 World War II wrecks in the Pacific still have oil on them, and it’s a big and difficult problem to deal with. Solomon Islands has a lot of them,” said Mr Irving.

He said that the wrecks are now at least 70 to 80 years old since they sank.

“The oil was a cargo because they were a tanker, or whether the oil was fuel.  Some of those ships might start to leak a little bit of the oil inside of them, and the question becomes, is what do we do with that?” he said.

He stressed that international agreements do not cover War wrecks.

“There’s no international agreement like you have with oil tankers or cargo ships now. I think the Solomon government should be engaging in international discussions about whether there could be a new international instrument or a new international organisation to start dealing with the problem of potentially polluting wrecks,” he said.

“It’s a difficult problem. The difficulty comes from the fact that the ships are also war graves. Some still have the original cargos, which might mean ammunition, tanks, bullets or explosives. So, they’re not safe. And so, it’s a real big problem,” he said.

“Any oil inside them held by the steel will start to bubble out when it rusts. That is nasty oil. It’s World War II-quality fuel and World War II-quality crude oil,” said Irving.

He said that most of the wrecks are Japanese, and there’s an issue of who owns them.

“The model that I look at and think is so successful is the organisation that deals with landmines. After a war, the landmines get left behind, and the people who have to face those are the local farmers and the local population. So, several countries have come together and said, we’ll help clean it up.

“It’s not being done fast because it’s a big job. I think the same needs to be done with potentially polluting wrecks, where there’s an international agreement, a coalition of countries that have the expertise and perhaps the history, Japan, the United States, UK, Australia, who have that history associated with these wrecks, could come together and be helpful,” said Irving.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

AMBIPAR, a leading environmental consultancy company, is conducting a workshop on oil spill response in the Solomon Islands.

The weeklong workshop, which began on Monday and will conclude on Friday, is currently underway at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.

Led by Ambipar Response senior trainers Glenn Hill and Nicola Jackson, along with Paul Irving from SPREP, the workshop brings together representatives from the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority, the Ministry of Health, South Pacific Oil, National Fisheries Development, and other organizations involved in emergency management.

The workshop is being delivered by the United Kingdom in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Ocean Country Partnership Programme, engaging Ambipar as the consultancy company.

The goal of the workshop is to educate and equip stakeholders with the necessary skills to prepare for and respond to oil spills in Solomon Islands waters.

Speaking to Island Sun, Paul Irving, SPREP PACPLAN Resilience Project Marine Pollution Officer, stated:

“Participants are learning how an oil spill can occur, what preparations have been made, where the equipment is located, what the planning process entails, and who will respond and how those individuals will carry out the response.”

He added that another key objective of the workshop is to strengthen teamwork among these organizations during oil spill crises in the Solomon Islands.

“A similar workshop was held last year, but it was more of a preparatory session. This one focuses on the national response plan,’’ said Irving.

“Last year, we discussed what an oil spill is and its potential impact on the environment and people. This year, we are looking at the systems in place to respond effectively,’’ he added.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The days of boat travelers from Isabel Province braving perilous journeys without reliable communication are over.

Thanks to the newly implemented Solomon Islands National Broadband Infrastructure Project (SINBIP), a joint project between the Solomon Islands and China, boat operators and passengers can now travel with peace of mind, knowing they can call for help in case of emergencies at sea.

SINBIP is a telecommunications project that involves building towers to improve internet connectivity in the country.

The SINBIP Tower, which was officially launched recently at Tathi, Central Islands Province marks a significant improvement in safety and communication for boat travelers.

Before its implementation, residents and visitors in the Isabel to Honiara route, passing through Gella, often faced unreliable or no mobile coverage, putting them at risk during their travels.

Now, with the SINBIP Tower in place, boat operators are able to stay in touch with clients and receive urgent calls of confirmation for travel plans.

Brian Mickley, a boat operator from Sepi, Isabel Province, expressed his excitement about the tower’s impact on his business.

“We are very happy to have the tower connected. It makes it much easier for us to receive calls of confirmation from clients who want to use our boats for travel,” Mickley said.

The tower’s opening has eliminated communication issues that once hampered transportation and business operations, enhancing both safety and convenience for all involved.

Boat transportation, an essential service for many residents and visitors in the area, can now operate with greater reliability, knowing that assistance can be reached immediately in case of disaster or emergency.

The introduction of the SINBIP Tower is being hailed as a game-changer for the region, not only improving safety but also contributing to the local economy by facilitating smoother business operations.

“We are excited to see more positive impacts from this project and how it will continue to improve the lives of Solomon Islanders,” said a local government spokesperson.

“With improved connectivity and communication, boat travel in the Solomon Islands has entered a new era of safety, reliability, and convenience.” He said.

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BY NED GAGAHE

The Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has issued another warning to the public regarding individuals and groups falsely posing as recruitment agents for employment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the LMU clarified that the unit is the sole agency responsible for facilitating the registration process for the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. The LMU also emphasized that no new recruitment for the PALM scheme will be conducted at this time.

“The PALM scheme does not operate through agents. However, some individuals and groups have been misrepresenting themselves as local agents and demanding upfront payments from job seekers,” the LMU said.

The LMU strongly reminded the public that the PALM scheme is completely free of charge. Applicants are only required to cover the costs of their passport, police clearance, and medical clearance. No other fees are required to participate in the PALM scheme.

For those seeking employment under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand, the LMU clarified that recruitment is conducted exclusively through approved agents. Job seekers are urged to verify the list of authorized agents with the LMU before engaging in any recruitment process.

Additionally, the LMU reiterated that no new recruitment for the PALM scheme is being conducted at this time. Any updates or changes regarding the recruitment process will be communicated to the public officially.

The LMU continues to advise job seekers to be cautious and avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment agents. The public is urged to only engage with verified, legitimate sources to ensure they do not become targets of scams.

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