Officials from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification in Solomon Islands, are to go to Temotu province to hear community concerns about bauxite mining.
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The Australian mining company, AU Capital Mining, co-owned by Pacific Bauxite, recently obtained a business licence from the provincial government, despite strong landowner opposition.
The Director of Mines said the ministry considered numerous objections to mining before granting the company a prospecting license in 2015.
Thomas Toba, who admits their consultations were restricted to discussions with Honiara-based people, said Mines now plans to send officials to Temotu to listen to the local community.
"We are definitely going down to listen to them, probably next week - just to get the views. If they have a majority rejecting this project then we can look at other... the means to.... discuss with the company and also how we can resolve this problem."