Choiseul premier Jackson Kiloe says his province is not benefiting much from Sumitomo Mining’s nickel exploration in his province.
The Japanese mining giant had been searching for nickel in the province for the last seven years. But Kiloe said the only benefit his province got from the company was $35,000 annual licence fee.
“This was a real disappointment to both the province and the landowners,” Kiloe said.
He said he had heard of Blue Water Mining Ltd’s promise to upgrade Lata Airport and Lata hospital.
“This was a company that has just been issued its exploration license,” Kiloe said.
The Australian company will carry out under-sea mineral exploration in waters off Temotu.
Kiloe said Sumitomo never make any pledges to assist Choiseul in its infrastructure development.
“What we heard from the company is once the actual mining operation starts, it will happen at the same time as their operations on Isabel.”
Kiloe said mining was a destructive undertaking and the country must be careful to ensure it derives benefits from the proposed mining activities that are going to take place here.
Sumitomo has been doing exploration activities both in Isabel and Choiseul over the past years.
By Elliot Dawea
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