Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Moses Garu has called on St. Barbara Company to be more responsible.
Mr Garo also cautioned the company not to mislead the public about the current issue on the mine site and the company.
“Why should you blame the government? The Government, given the current complex situation and the current Gold Ridge Agreement, has reorganized itself to deal with the issues you raised with us,” he argued.
The Minister also warned Dick Douglas who claimed to represent the Gold Ridge Community Landowners Association (GRCLA) to stop misleading the land owners and the public.
“From what I have been told by the employees and locals at the site, it’s nothing to do with the government’s inaction.
“I am surprised you teamed up with the Forum Solomon Islands International (FSII) to blame the government.
“You are the very ones that wanted the government to relax its position of prohibition status of the expat employees to return.”
Mr Garo said in the Gold Ridge Agreement, it was spelt out clearly what the government’s obligations are.
“I believe you have no clue what there are. Please stop your public outburst; you just confuse everyone every time you come in the media.
“I and my team have visited the Gold Ridge facility, the mining site, the tailings dam and the treatment safety facility and talked to the employees of the company and the locals who have provided their time and services to compliment members of the RSIP to protect the facilities.
“The Company, St. Barbra had in fact, incited this theft incident, of company assets.
“They allowed this to happen and I believe they meant it to happen this way.
“My Ministry will finalize our report on our findings and provide this to our Cabinet to make a decision on this situation.
“We cannot allow this Company to treat the Solomon Islands and apply whatever they wish.”
Minister Garo was accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary Jeffrey Kauha, Acting Director of Mines, Don Tolia and other senior technical officers of the Ministry during the visit.
Attempts by the Solomon Star to talk to the company for a response last night were unsuccessful.
