Customary landowners from the Kakau and Lakuili Tribes in the Variana and Hoilava areas of Lambi, West Guadalcanal, have issued a firm public appeal to the Director of Mines, the Mines and Minerals Board, and the Minister for Mines this week.
They are urging them for immediate action to exclude their customary land blocks from a tenement granted to Ever Prosperous Mining Limited under a Prospecting Licence (PL), and to revoke the company’s licence entirely.
The tribes, through their registered landowner company Ngengeni Resources Company Limited, expressed deep frustration over the government’s continued silence in response to multiple formal letters and lawful notices.
The landowners assert that their lands were wrongly included in the PL area without consent, and accuse the company of operating unlawfully and without community agreement.
“We have not granted consent. We have not signed any agreements. Our land blocks have been wrongly included in a prospecting licence without our authorization,” said tribal leader Mr. Cecil Beato. “We have followed all legal channels, and yet our voices are ignored.”
Following the surrender of PL-04/23 by Win-Win Investment Solomon Limited on 1 October 2024, the Kakau and Lakuili Tribes took proactive steps to manage their lands, forming Ngengeni Resources Company Limited in October 2023.
In a letter dated 20 November 2024, they formally notified the Director of Mines of their intent to secure a development partner of their choice and opposed the issuance of new permits to any third-party companies. That notice, along with several others, remains unanswered.
In February 2025, the tribes were granted Alluvial Mining Permit AMP 01/25, valid until 25 February 2026.
However, in April 2025, they were shocked to learn that a new Prospecting Licence had been issued to Ever Prosperous Mining Limited—covering their land without consent.
The landowners allege that unauthorized individuals fraudulently signed Surface Access Right Agreements on behalf of the tribes.
A community meeting was held at Lambi Bay on 5 April 2025, where tribal leaders unanimously resolved to request the immediate exclusion of their customary lands from the PL area. A formal letter to the Director of Mines dated 7 April 2025 followed, yet remains unanswered.
A subsequent letter to Mr. Chua Kock Chuan, Director of Ever Prosperous Mining Limited, dated 22 April 2025, also received no response.
Instead, the company reportedly deployed heavy industrial equipment—including crushers and mining machinery—onto tribal lands. Landowners allege these actions constitute illegal mining under the guise of a Prospecting Licence.
“Our land has been invaded. They are conducting full-scale operations without our permission. This is not exploration—it’s unlawful mining,” said Mr. Julio Kelivani.
“When the authorities failed to act, we stepped in to stop it ourselves. Now we’re appealing publicly for the Minister for Mines to cancel this licence.”
On 28 April 2025, the tribes submitted a formal complaint to the Director of Mines, supported by photographic and documentary evidence of alleged breaches of licence conditions. Despite this, no action has been taken. Instead, Ever Prosperous Mining Limited secured ex parte court injunctions to silence the landowners.
“This misuse of the courts is an attack on our right to be heard,” said Mr. John Lobo. “We were not given the chance to defend our position. This is unjust.”
Community leaders have also called on local journalist and political commentator Alfred Sasako to stop what they describe as “weaponizing the media” in favor of foreign-owned companies while suppressing indigenous voices.
The landowners are now calling on the new Minister for Mines Derrick Manuari, to investigate the Director of Mines and the Mines and Minerals Board, and to take decisive action.
“We appeal to you, Honourable Minister,” said Mr. Kelivani. “Our people have waited long enough. Please intervene. Remove our land blocks from the Prospecting Licence granted to Ever Prosperous Mining Limited and cancel the licence for violations of the law.”
The tribes emphasize that they support development, but only when it is done through partnerships that respect landowner rights and ensure equitable benefits.
“Our minerals, our land, our future,” said Mr. Saverio Tohi. “We will not allow others to exploit our resources without our free, prior, and informed consent.”
Photo caption: Customary landowners of the Ngengeni and Veuru Land Blocks pictured at Lambi Bay on 5 April 2025, after passing a resolution opposing Ever Prosperous Mining Limited’s operations. Photo credit: Ngengeni Resources Company Limited
