Solomon Islands government defends treatment of Australian miner Axiom

By Liam Fox on Pacific Beat with Catherine Graue

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The Solomon Islands government has defended its treatment of an Australian mining company that's been forced to shut down its operations in the country.

Axiom Mining has a lease to mine for nickel in Isabel province but the government has refused to grant it an export permit and last month the company's foreign investment certification was cancelled forcing it to suspend all mining activity.

Axiom's CEO Ryan Mount has described the government's actions as illegal and the company is challenging them in court.

But the Director of Mines Nicholas Biliki said Axiom had failed to adhere to the conditions of its mining lease.

Mr Biliki told Pacific Beat via email that Axiom only submitted a scoping study when it applied for its mining lease and not a feasibility study as required.

He said when Axiom fulfils its lease conditions it will be granted an export permit.

Meanwhile traditional landowners in Isabel province have accused the government of using delaying tactics to frustrate Axiom so it can bring in another investor to take over the project.

The Bungusule Customary Landowner Trustees is part of a joint venture with Axiom and spokeswoman Janet Voda said landowners need the money from the project to "improve their lives" but the government is turning a "blind eye" to the situation.

The latest comments come during a visit by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to Australia.

Last week Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs said, "the Australian government has made representations to the Solomon Islands government that Axiom be treated fairly in accordance with Solomon Islands laws".

Duration: 4min 25sec

Broadcast: Mon 11 Nov 2019, 7:00am