Axiom news...

AXIOM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT AN EXPORT PERMITAs the Minerals Board meets tomorrow to deliberate on pending mines and minerals issues, including the application by Axiom mining company for an export permit, Axiom’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryan Mount is optimistic for a positive outcome to the Australian company’s quest for a permit for the exportation of its nickel ore products.Axiom, which has paid SBD$30-Million in taxes to the Solomon Islands Government over the last four years even without making any export, has only been granted a Mining Lease for San Jorge’s nickel deposits in Isabel Province in September 2018 after a decade of exploration and the fighting of legal battles.The company’s application for a minerals export permit submitted in April this year will go before the Minerals Board for consideration at the Minerals Board meeting to be held tomorrow. Furthermore, its application to the Isabel Provincial Government for a business license went before the outgoing provincial executive but was deferred until a new executive takes office. This would be one of the issues to be put before the newly formed Provincial Executive for a decision. Axiom was advised that a business license is not a requirement for the grant of an export permit by the Minerals Board. Mr Mount said the last 10 years of Axiom’s presence in Solomon Islands has been a very challenging time however, he said he has never lost his conviction that the collective good will always triumph in the end and that he remains very positive that the Minerals Board will appreciate the benefits that Axiom’s mining operation hold for the Solomon Islands economy and will positively consider its application for an export permit. “Axiom’s nickel mine project on San Jorge island in Isabel Province is a significant project to the improvement of the livelihood of the landowners of San Jorge and moreover to Isabel Province’s revenue collection and the Solomon Islands national economy.“This project alone is projected to contribute up to 15 percent of Solomon Islands GDP - a measurement of our national economy) and this GDP rate could even rise to 20 to 30 percent. This would be a substantial contribution to the economy and I remain optimistic that the Minerals Board will realise the importance of giving Axiom the go-ahead to exporting its nickel ore products by granting the necessary permit.”In terms of compliance to the laws and regulations governing Solomon Islands mining industry, Mr Mount said Axiom has been a strict compliant with the relevant laws and regulations, adding that Axiom stands tall as the only mining company operating in Solomon Islands that freely updates the relevant government authorities on a regular basis of its compliance status.“We at Axiom do not comply with relevant laws and regulations of Solomon Islands just to impress local authorities to grant us the various permits we want. Rather, we comply with the laws because we believe that the relevant laws and regulations are there to protect the interests of all stakeholders in any mining operation. “We are genuine investors that are committed to seeing a win-win situation for all our stakeholders and we are equally committed to operating to the highest standards and to be a role model to other mining companies in Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region,” Mr Mount expounded.Once given the greenlight to proceed with the exportation of its nickel ore products, Axiom will be shipping out ore under its off-take agreement with Traxys S.A, a renowned materials buyer based in Washington D.C, United States of America. Mr Mount said Traxys, as an internationally reputable company, wants Axiom to prove its strict compliance with relevant laws of the jurisdiction in which it operates and this includes transparency in its environmental standards, obtaining permits through lawful means and the paying of appropriate taxes to the government.“This leaves no room for transfer pricing or the undervaluation of our export products,” the Axiom CEO added.EndsSOURCE: AXIOM MEDIACaption: Axiom CEO Ryan Mount.