Pacific / Solomon Islands

Solomons govt committed to reforming mining legislation

18:04 pm on 2 November 2015

The Solomon Islands government says it is will review mining legislation to ensure the industry is beneficial to its stakeholders.

The Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification David Day Pacha made the commitment at a national mining forum in Honiara last week.

Mr Pacha says the reform programme will cover processing, negotiations, compliances, royalty, management and the protection of the environment from the effects of mining.

He says the reform will consider the loop holes and weaknesses within the Mines and Minerals Act and bring in amendments to ensure past mistakes are avoided.

Mining interests in the country have moved quickly in recent years from a single development at Gold Ridge, to recent operations in Rennell, and progressing plans for nickel and bauxite mining in Isabel, Choiseul and Wagina.