hey jojo ,
I came across Sumitomo's 3YR Business Plan - Feb 2010 - you may find bits interesting , they seemed to have placed Solomons Ni project in top 2 priority. From page 6 ( at the bottom "Fight for Resources" :) then on to page 11 and again Solomons Ni from pages 20-24 with a photo on page 50. cheers
http://www.smm.co.jp/E/ir/management/keikaku/pdf/100215setsumeikai_e.pdf