THE Prime Minister has assured Gold Ridge Landowners and communities that the Government is continually working to address the various outstanding issues relating to reopening of the Gold Ridge mine through the relevant Ministries and with the support of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Gold Ridge.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said with the significant potential that Gold Ridge can offer the national economy does not warrant the Government turning its back on the project and neglecting the call of the landowners from the Gold Ridge community for continued dialogue.
A Statement said the Prime Minister’s Office acknowledge that a formal request for a meeting with the Prime Minister was submitted by the Chairman of the Gold Ridge Community and Landowners Council (GRCLC), Mr Dick Douglas on behalf of the Paramount Chiefs, Principal Landowners and the Gold Ridge Community GRCLC.
Unfortunately a meeting with the Prime Minister at the requested time was not feasible due to other urgent commitments prior to his departure for the UNGA, and the agenda proposed by Mr Douglas for discussion was deemed by senior OPMC officials, as matters already being addressed under the responsibilities of relevant Ministries including the Judiciary.
“According to procedures in the Prime Minister’s Office, any issue relating to sectoral engagement that requests an audience is first assessed by the Officials responsible for the subject being raised to the attention of the Prime Minister, in this case Gold Ridge, for purposes of reviewing the agenda for any proposed meeting with the Hon. Prime Minister.”
The Gold Ridge delegation had proposed 3 items on the agenda list for discussion: the Mining Lease for Gold Ridge; Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) – DAM; and Outstanding Royalties.
The evaluation by Senior Officers responsible for reviewing the agenda was as follows;
Regarding the Mining Lease, the matter is before the court, therefore it is prudent that it is left for the court to handle, not the Prime Minister’s Office.
The issue of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment (MECDM) as the appropriate authority with the technical support to substantively address any issues of concern rather than the Prime Minister’s Office. Therefore the recommendation was for the matter to be raised directly with the MECDM.
Finally, the issue of outstanding Royalties for Gold Ridge would be best served being discussed thoroughly with responsible Officials from the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, and the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification.
The Statement said the Officers responsible had referred Mr Douglas to these relevant Ministries rather than directly to the Honourable Prime Minister.
The misunderstanding is regrettable. However, the Government has assured the Gold Ridge communities and landowners that it remains committed to supporting legitimate efforts towards resumption of mining operations and Cabinet will soon sanction new approaches to the Gold Ridge issue in an effort to revive the long defunct mine in Central Guadalcanal.
The Government is working towards finalizing the National Mineral Policy which should address local partnership engagement with intending investors in the mining industry in Solomon Islands. http://theislandsun.com/pm-assures-gold-ridge-los-support-address-outstanding-issues/
Personally I hope we stay away from Gold Ridge.
Too many complications including disgruntled Landowners, unsafe Tailings Dam, money owing to Landowners, Legal Actions.
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