THE Keohoto Landowners Association (KLA) has declared its firm opposition to allowing Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML) to conduct future prospecting activities over Mount Vunusa.
This announcement follows the decision by the Mines and Minerals Board to cancel GRML’s Prospecting License (PL) for operations at Mt Vunusa in Central Guadalcanal.
The cancellation decision was communicated in a letter to the GRML Managing Director Mr Gao on 9 December 2024.
The letter, signed by the Minister of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovosia, referenced the Board’s recommendation from 12 December 2023 and deliberations during the 3rd Ordinary Mines and Minerals Board meeting on 21 November 2024.
The letter stated:
“As required under Regulations Part 11 (4) of the Mines and Mineral Regulations 1996, you are hereby advised of the Mines and Minerals Board’s resolution.
The Board has once again been notified that since its deliberation on your limited access to Mt Vunusa on December 22, 2023, you continue to face unresolved issues with landowning groups within the Keohoto Region, including rights over blocks within your PL tenement area.
In that meeting, it was revealed that certain landowners had revoked consent for access, thereby violating the terms of the Surface Access Agreement (SAA).
Consequently, the Board recognised that this revocation nullified Gold Ridge Mining Ltd’s access rights, leading to the resolution that the company no longer holds access under the agreement.”
The Mines Division was subsequently instructed to seek clarification from the Attorney General’s Chambers regarding the legality of the license cancellation. Following confirmation, the Board officially recommended the cancellation of Prospecting License PL05/22 due to GRML’s loss of access to the tenement area.
KLA—comprising Chief for Keohoto, Celestine Seri, Peter Raemidiha of Manukiki, Shannel Seli of Koenahau, and Amado Mae of Lasi—reaffirmed their stance during a meeting with the Director of Mines, Krista Tatapu, on 17 January 2025.
“We will not negotiate for any renewal of the prospecting license for Gold Ridge,” Chief Seri said.
He emphasised that their decision was made independently and not influenced by any external entity.
“We want the land to remain with us. It is up to us to decide whether to negotiate with any company for development on the land,” Chief Seri added.
Chief Seri also revealed that in the past, the KLA had symbolically presented two chupu (traditional gifts) to GRML as a signal for the company to leave their land.
“The two chupu should have been enough to indicate that the company must stay out,” he added.
KLA’s lawyer is set to submit a formal letter to Minister Bradley Tovosia, with a copy to Attorney General John Muria Jr this Thursday to notify them of KLA’s position against Gold Ridge Mining.
However, a prominent chief of the Chacha tribe of Gold Ridge, Titus Soba has strongly criticised the Minister’s decision to cancel GRML’s Prospecting License (PL05/22).
He labelled the cancellation as a “slap in the face” for Gold Ridge landowners who have contributed significantly to the Solomon Islands’ mining sector and economy.
“This decision disrespects the sacrifices of our people. There was no consultation or notice to the stakeholders of the regions involved,” Chief Soba said.
He further argued that Keohoto is a region, not a tribe and only one tribe within the region raised concerns.
“Why should the actions of a few override the collective will of all landowning tribes?” he questioned.
Chief Soba emphasised that GRML has been operating in compliance with national regulations and expressed frustration with the lack of professionalism and respect in dealings with the landowners.
He also highlighted the importance of upholding the collective agreements established under the Surface Access Agreement (SAA).
“Under the Solomon Islands Mines and Minerals Act, a Special Prospecting License (SPL) allows individuals or entities to conduct detailed exploration of mineral resources within a specified area. This type of license grants more extensive prospecting rights than a regular prospecting license,” Chief Soba explained.
He then called for an immediate review of the Minister’s decision to ensure fairness and adherence to legal agreements.
In February 2024, Minister Tovosia during the caretaker mode of the former Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) suspended the operations of Win Win Investment Solomon Islands Ltd, citing illegal mining activities within a tenement allocated to GRML under Prospecting License PL05/22.
While acknowledging that Win Win held a valid mining lease adjacent to GRML’s concession, Minister Tovosia condemned its unauthorised activities as violations of the Mines and Minerals Act 1990, the Mines and Minerals Regulations 1996 and the conditions of the Mining Lease and Agreement.
Win Win Investment’s representative stated that the suspension remains in effect until specific conditions, including an independent geological assessment, are fulfilled. The company has criticised these requirements as excessively burdensome.
Gold Ridge Mining Ltd specialises in hard rock mining, while Win Win Investment is engaged in alluvial mining at Turarana, Central Guadalcanal.
