Axiom KB Ltd on Wednesday singed a historic Surface Access Agreement with the landowners of South San Jorge which paves the way for a mining lease on the island.
The negotiation of the Surface Access Agreement has taken more than a week which allows the landowners and the company to work their way through the agreement under the supervision of their lawyers.
In the historic event in Honiara, the nine tribal landowning groups on the island signed the agreement in the presence of the company’s Chief Executive Officer Ryan Mount, a representative from the Government and the lawyer representing the landowners.
Landowners described the event as a new dawn for Isabel and the Solomon Islands. It is also historic because for the first time all the landowner groups are part of the agreement, leaving no one behind.
Mr Mount said this event takes Axiom’s partnership with landowners to a new level and urged the company and the landowners to work together to move the project forward.
He said this agreement crates a long term sustainable partnership.
Speaking on behalf of the landowners Fr Lot Bako and Nicholas Kuli said they were extremely pleased with the agreement and pledged their support behind the company and the project.
Chief Nicholas Kuli said the agreement is historic because it has ended 60 years of prospecting on the island.
He said they have now closed the door and opened a new door of opportunities.
“We are looking forward to benefiting from our resources,” he said.
Both Bako and Koli appealed to the Government to award the Mining Lease to Axiom without unnecessary delay to allow the project to get underway.
Caption: Landowners and Axiom officials.
Fr Lot Bako signing on behalf of one of the key tribes where the mining will take place.
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