Bungusule Customary Landowner Trustees have refuted yesterday’s front-page article of the Island Sun newspaper alleging that Axiom Mining Limited has deserted its camp on San Jorge.
The newspaper also published photos of the road leading up to the camp and photos of an old rundown water tap, waste water outlet and crude hot water system in an effort to justify the wild allegation attributed to some anonymous sources.
Spokesperson for the Bungusule Customary Landowner Trustees Janet Voda said the article is an example of unethical journalism that should not be promoted in Solomon Islands.
Mrs Voda said had the author of the article visited Axiom’s camp on San Jorge, he would see for himself the truth and that truth is the Axiom’s operation on San Jorge keeps rolling unlike what he tried to insinuate.
“It is sad that the author decided to publish photos of the road leading up to the campsite and photos of an old rundown water tap, waste water outlet and crude hot water system in an effort to make the public believe the false and misleading information he published.
“The truth is that Axiom’s mining camp on San Jorge remains occupied by its mining operation workers which includes landowners and these workers continue to carry out their daily mining operations,” she added.
The Bungusule Customary Landowner Trustees spokesperson said the Media Association of Solomon Islands should take necessary action to address such unethical journalism practice because it tarnishes the integrity of the Solomon Islands media in general.
Mrs Voda said an important issue within the mining industry that is worth investigating by Mr Sasako is why the Minerals’ Board continues to entertain Bintan Mining Company in the mining industry after the former Prime Minister Rick Hou declared the company as ‘immoral’ for paying ‘next to no taxes’ to the government.
She said the Bungusule Customary Landowner Trustees are firm in their support for Axiom’s operation because the company values its landowners by giving them shares in this project and is committed to comply with the laws of Solomon Islands in its operation.
