‎Robert Luke Iroga‎ to SOLOMON BUSINESS MAGAZINE8 mins · AXIOM...

‎Robert Luke Iroga‎ to SOLOMON BUSINESS MAGAZINE8 mins · AXIOM CONTINUES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT SIWith a deep commitment to significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of Solomon Islands, Axiom Mining Limited is forging ahead with its nickel project on San Jorge in Isabel Province amidst tribulations.Axiom General Manager Dr Phil Tagini says he is delighted to hear the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers pushing ahead with fundamental reforms on the floor of Parliament to ensure transparency in the private sector but the reality will require difficult choices. Despite the delay of an export permit by the Minerals Board for the company to ship out its nickel ore products to its United States-based buyer Traxys, the Australian mining company is optimistic that soon or later, the government through the board will realise the significance of its nickel project to the socio economic development of Solomon Islands and grant this permit.Dr Tagini says despite its current non-export status, Axiom maintains its operation, thus continue to provide much needed employment opportunities for landowners and other Solomon Islanders at its mine-site and in Honiara and the company looks forward to employ more landowners and Solomon Islands once it obtains an Export Permit and commences full-scale operation.“Despite the challenge we face in getting an export permit from the government to ship out nickel ore products, we continue to maintain our operation on San Jorge and Honiara. Currently, we employ more than 60 staff and this figure is inclusive of those who work at the mine-site and those of us in Honiara.“We’re looking forward to employing more Solomon Islanders, including landowners as soon as we get an Export Permit and transition into the full operation and export phases of this significant and exciting nickel mine project,” the Axiom General Manager says.Dr Tagini says: “It’s been a challenge operating in a mining environment that is heavily influenced by politics and corruption we are hopeful that the government will soon realise the potential of the mining industry becoming one of Solomon Islands new economic mainstays due to the sharp decline in the country’s log exports.”He says Axiom’s nickel mine project on San Jorge alone is projected to contribute to 15 percent of Solomon Islands Gross Domestic Product (GDP- a measurement of our national economy) and this GDP contribution by Axiom could rise even further.“This will be a substantial contribution to our economy and I hope the government realises this and gives Axiom the greenlight to proceed on with the export of its nickel ore products in order for Solomon Islanders to benefit from this positive contribution from Axiom. “We can continue to distract public attention but the reality stares at us in the face - our hospitals and clinics are out of medicines and lack proper medical equipment, our schools are run down and out of textbooks and exercise books, our roads are in dire need of repair, we have a growing unemployment problem and the stakes are very high,” the Axiom General Manager says.He says the advantage about Axiom’s nickel project is that the company is committed to fully complying with the laws of Solomon Islands and best mining practices and fulfilling its social obligations to landowners.“Since the commencement of our nickel mining project, we have strictly complied with the laws of Solomon Islands and best mining practices and moreover we have zero tolerance for corruption in our conduct with our different stakeholders.Dr Tagini says the recent speech from the throne by the Governor General hits the bullseye when he stated that Solomon Islands should not rely on aid donors and politicians to provide cash handouts. ‘This means we have to use our God given resources to pull ourselves from dependence into a strong nation,’ he adds. “I’m pleased to say that Axiom’s nickel mining project on San Jorge is a remarkable mining business model that recognises landowners as shareholders and I’m happy to recommend other mining companies in the country and the greater Pacific region to adopt. In fact, the landowners of Axiom’s Mining Lease site are given shares in the company and I know of no other company that has given any shares to landowners in such a major project,” the Axiom General Manager says.Dr Tagini adds that Axiom’s off-take agreement with Traxys, an international reputable company is an added bonus for Solomon Islands because it wants Axiom to prove its strict compliance with Solomon Islands and this includes transparency in its environmental protection standards, obtaining licenses and permits through lawful means and paying appropriate taxes to the relevant authorities.He said this strict compliance measure leaves no room for transfer pricing or the undervaluation of Axiom’s export products.Ends///SOURCE: AXIOM MEDIA.Axiom workers.A view of Axiom's mining operation on San Jorge.