Landowners want action, page-61

Robert Luke IrogaAdmin · 2 hrsKABU QUESTIONS EXPORT PERMIT DELAY(Honiara, Solomon Islands, 8thAugust 2019) Chairman of South San Jorge Landowner Trustees has questioned why the government has turned down the application of Axiom Mining Limited for an Export Permit after issuing the company with a 25-year mining lease for San Jorge last September.The Minerals’ Board in its recent extra-ordinary meeting decided not to grant the Australian owned mining company an Export Permit on the basis that the company must first obtain a Business License from the Isabel Province Government.Mr John Rawcliff Kabu said as far as the Solomon Islands Mining Act is concerned, a Provincial Business License is not a pre-condition for an Export Permit and the Minerals’ Board refusal to issue Axiom with an Export Permit after issuing it with a Mining Lease defies common sense.“The Minerals Board’s rejection of Axiom’s application for an Export Permit after issuing it with a Mining License defies common sense. Clearly the Mining Act does not stipulate the obtainment of a Provincial Business License as a pre-requisite for an Export Permit.“I find the decision by the Minerals’ Board to be questionable and this is a matter of grave concern to South San Jorge Landowner Trustees and other landowner trustees of Axiom’s Mining Lease site who are keen to see Axiom export its stockpiled nickel ore products and benefit from the export earnings,” Mr Kabu added.The Chairman of the South San Jorge Landowner Trustees said the longer the Minerals Board continues to delay an Export Permit for Axiom, the longer it will deny landowners and other stakeholders including the Isabel Provincial Government and the national government from benefiting from this major nickel project.He said the Minerals Board is mandated to make lawful decisions that advance the best interests of Solomon Islands instead of being dictated by selfish political interests as it appears to be the case with its rejection of Axiom’s Export Permit Application.Mr Kabu said the South San Jorge Landowner Trustees therefore call on the government through the Minerals Board to reconsider their decision on Axiom’s Export Permit Application and do the right thing for the landowners of the company’s Mining Lease site and the nation at large.Ends///SOURCE: AXIOM MEDIA