Gold Ridge landowners in Solomon Islands say they would be happy to take on the ownership of the closed goldmine from its Australian owners, St Barbara.
gold bars Photo: AFP
The mine has been shut down for a year after being damaged in floods.
The chairman of the Gold Ridge Community and Land Owners Association, Dick Douglas, says they are working with St Barbara and the Solomons' government to effect a transfer of ownership to Gold Ridge landowners.
"We need to participate fully in this development, we need to have the benefit out of our own resources. And that is the government's policy. Rather than we sit down and watch. And our vision is to get everything and then get all other aspects that the development within the industry."
Dick Douglas says it is early days but says he hopes their efforts pave the way for other landowning groups to develop their own resources.