BY LORETTA B MANELE
In the case of illegal mining at the Gold Ridge mining area, the problem can only be solved by those who create it.
Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal and Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), Peter Shanel Agovaka said this when speaking on the matter of “illegal mining” in parliament on Tuesday, August 5.
He voiced that illegal mining was created because the Gold Ridge Mining company did not fulfill its obligations to landowners.
Shanel said there were no royalties for landowners and land rental, which is due every month.
He mentioned that having visited the place, the environment there is no longer what it used to be.
Shanel said when Gold Ridge started, with the Ross Mining company, everything was done according to law using best mining practices.
“Today, there is no best mining practice over there,” he said.
Shanel said the company is breaking laws and outlined a number of scenarios depicting this.
He stressed that there is no protective equipment for workers, mining is done in places it shouldn’t be carried out like in prospecting sites, the river is polluted and industrial waste is everywhere.
“Last time I talked about this in cabinet, no one listened to me. Now I’m talking about this in parliament so that everyone can hear it.
“Things that have happened are not good. I am not talking as a foreign minister but as a Member of Parliament,” said Shanel.
He pointed out that the company which has been operating for 10 years have had exports yet they are yet to see revenue from it.
“We don’t even have a dividend of 10% from the company for the landowning group.
“And not only that, not even a single AGM was held over the last 10 years by this company, the so-called landowner’s company,” Shanel added.
He also stated that the company is also using police today which is not good.
“Today they are using the police. The police are also using arms and pointing arms at civilians is not good.
“These are issues the ministry of mines and police failed in, to look after our people.
“Failed, miserably,” said Shanel.
The Member of Parliament for Central Guadalcanal constituency which is where the Gold Ridge Mining company operates in reiterated that if the company was carrying out it’s duty and obligations, there would be no illegal mining there.
He also questioned whether the Ministry of Mines and Environment will still allow the company to continue operations.
“It’s not fair for us”
“If the company was carrying out it’s duty and obligations, there would be no illegal mining,” said Shanel.
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Enough is enough! Let the rightful owners of their land be heard and be treated with respect and within their rights.
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/landowners-want-land-excluded-from-pl/
This Chua Kock Chuan person is a shady character and should not be trusted. From timber exploitation to now gold mining exploitation, why haven’t we blacklisted him yet?