Dear Editor – Despite controversies surrounding specific mining projects throughout the country – Gold Ridge, Renell and Bellona, Temotu, and Isabel to name a few, the DCC appears to be doing something to improve how things are done in this industry with the recent launch of the National Minerals Policy.
I assume that, the document is no longer classified as ____State Secret____ and request it be made available as a Public Document.
I further recommend the Director of Mines, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines____ and the Policy Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, as the main persons who will be supervising its implementation, go on a radio talk back show to explain to the public the contents of the document, what it sets out to achieve and how it will be implemented and allow the public to phone-in with questions or concerns.
The radio program is preferred method for public discussion as opposed to holding ____consultations____ at individual communities or provincial capitals.
That could be done at a later date by offices in the relevant ministries.
If minerals are to take on where trees in the forests left, we need to start somewhere.
The Mineral Policy Document is a good starting point and the public must be informed what it contains in non-technical terms.
Sam Golaiati
Northeast Guadalcanal
