ABC news - Aussie miner sues Solomons government over export permit refusal

ABC news article, fantastic development! Huge win for Axiom imo to get Australian media and hopefully government involved.

click on link to listen

https://www.abc.net.au/radio-austra...mons-govt-over-export-permit-refusal/11585088

Aussie miner sues Solomons government over export permit refusal
By on Pacific Beat

Download Axiom Mining has a lease to dig for nickel in Isabel province but is unable to export the ore (1.82 MB)
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An Australian mining company is taking the Solomon Islands government to court over the refusal to grant it an export permit.

Axiom Mining has a mining lease to dig for nickel in Isabel province and began operations at the start of the year.

But CEO Ryan Mount said when the company went to send its first shipment of ore to an overseas buyer the Minerals Board refused to grant it an export permit.

"We see no legal basis for it at all and we're obviously very concerned for ourselves, the people of Isabel and the economy in general that this nation-building project continues to be stalled," Mr Mount said.

He warned the refusal is not just a legal issue but a risk to the country's international reputation.

"The international investment community is really looking at our project to see if we can get this up and running," he said.

"If the government cannot comply with its own rules and laws you're simply going to have unethical operations and that's not good for anyone".

Frank Yourn, executive director of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council agrees the case could have wider ramifications.

"These sorts of examples will cause investors to hold back," Mr Yourn said.

Both the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines Dr Chris Vehe and the Director of Mines Nicholas Biliki declined to comment as the matter is now before the courts.

Duration: 3min 58sec
Broadcast: Wed 9 Oct 2019, 7:00am