Win Win Investment Solomon Islands Ltd has paused its alluvial mining operations at Turarana, Central Guadalcanal, for a month.
This follows the Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification’s (MMERE) indefinite suspension of Win Win’s operations due to alleged illegal mining activities within a tenement area allocated to Gold Ridge Mining Ltd (GRML) under prospecting license PL 05/22.
On February 16, 2024, Bradley Tovosia, the caretaker minister at the time, issued a show-cause letter to Win Win’s Managing Director, Dan Shi.
Tovosia, now reappointed as the Minister of MMERE and Deputy Prime Minister, acknowledged Win Win’s valid Mining Lease adjacent to GRML’s concession.
However, he emphasized that unauthorized mining activities violate the rights of the legitimate concession holder and undermine the rule of law.
Tovosia cited breaches of the Mines and Minerals Act 1990, the Mines and Minerals Regulations 1996, the conditions of the Mining Lease, and the Mining Agreement.
Exercising his powers under Section 71 (1) and (2) of the Mines and Minerals Act 1990, Tovosia gave Win Win Investment Solomon Ltd, holder of Mining Lease ML 01/2018, 14 days from the letter’s date to show cause why their Mining Lease should not be cancelled.
Failure to adequately respond could result in the cancellation of the Mining Lease.
Charles Meke, a local director of Win Win, stated that the suspension has significantly impacted the company’s operations.
He mentioned that maintaining operations at the camp costs around $350,000 per day, and they are hopeful that the Mines and Mineral Board and Minister Tovosia will lift the suspension.
MMERE Permanent Secretary, Dr. Christopher Vehe, said Win Win must meet the suspension conditions before the Board can decide on lifting it.
Meanwhile, Walton Naezon, Director of Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), noted that Win Win continues to trespass on the land and urged the MMERE to address this issue.
According to In-depth Solomons, Win Win Mining also holds concession areas in the Balasuna area of North East Guadalcanal, Isabel Province, and Malaita Province.
In Isabel, it operates as Go-Win Company Ltd; in Guadalcanal, as Win-Win Investment Ltd; and in Malaita, as New Asia Mining Ltd.
Additionally, Dan Shi, the owner of the company, registered New Future Bauxite Mining Co. Ltd for operations in Wagini, South Choiseul.
However, in March 2019, the Environmental Advisory Committee overturned the mining license after residents raised concerns about the potential impact on livelihoods on the island.
Win-Win Mining Company registered its business in November 2016, after significant groundwork.
Dan Shi, the company’s director, previously lived and conducted business in Fiji.
After 2013, he collaborated with Fijian Sailosi Nakelekelevesi, who became one of Win Win’s first directors.
Nakelekelevesi told Indepth Solomons that before Win-Win launched its operations in the Solomon Islands, Shi sent him to do preliminary work in Guadalcanal.
Utilizing his connections through a relative who was a missionary in Honiara, Nakelekelevesi facilitated negotiations and secured the mining lease for the Turarana tenement.
However, Nakelekelevesi claimed he was later mistreated and unfairly dismissed by Shi.
Attempts to talk to Shi was unsuccessful as he is currently in China.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara
