BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification is a key government entity responsible for developing and managing the country’s mineral, petroleum, water, and energy resources and rural electrification.
The Geological Division is one of its key divisions. It provides expertise and guidance on geological matters related to resource management and hazard mitigation.
In essence, the Geology Division acts as a bridge between scientific understanding of the Earth and its resources and the practical application of this knowledge for the benefit of Solomon Islands, its people and the environment.
With the revival of the Annual National Trade Fair, the division has brought a few of the stones and minerals to the general public.
John Tuga, a Senior Geologist Officer, said that the idea is to raise awareness among the general public, to understand their differences and what they look like.
According to Mr Tuga, the minerals currently extracted in the country are Gold, nickel and Bauxite.
Gold
Found in the Guadalcanal province.
Gold; chemical element, a dense, shiny, yellow precious metal. It has several qualities that have made it exceptionally valuable throughout history.
Gold is a good conductor of heat and electricity. It is also soft and the most flexible and ductile of the elements and does not tarnish or corrode; it was one of the first metals to attract human attention.
Pyrite
It is a dominant stone found in the Solomon Islands. Also known as “fool’s gold,” it is a brass-yellow mineral with a metallic lustre, composed of iron and sulfur. Pyrite is often associated with other valuable minerals like gold, copper and silver.
Calcite
Found in the Solomon Islands. It is a common lime stone from reefs. It can also be used as lime when heated into powder. Various impurities, including iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc or cobalt, often colour Calcite.
Nickel
Found in Isabel, parts of Guadalcanal and Western Province. It is known for its corrosion resistance and is widely used in alloys, particularly stainless steel. Nickel is also a component of many user products, including coins and jewellery.
Bauxite
Found in Rennell & Bellona, Temotu, Guadalcanal and Rendova in Western province.
Bauxite is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminium content. It is the world’s main source of aluminium and gallium.
Lead ore & Quartz
Found in Shortland. The association of lead ore and quartz is a common occurrence in the Earth’s crust, making them frequently found together in mineral samples and mining locations.
Red Garnet
Found in Malaita and parts of Isabel. Red garnet is a well-known and plentiful stone, prized for its deep red colour and historically significant role in jewellery.
Phlogopite mica
Found in Malaita, is a magnesium-rich mica mineral known for its excellent heat resistance and electrical insulation properties, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.
Obsidian
Found in Rendova. Obsidian is formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava from volcanoes. In olden times, it was used for cutting tools and weapons, blades and arrowheads. Today, it is used as a jewel or ornamental stone.
Coal
Found on the west side of Guadalcanal- a good indicator towards the formation of oil. Coal is formed from plant matter, ferns, plants and trees that died and fell into swamps millions of years ago. Through intense heat and pressure, it transforms the plant matter into peat and eventually into coal.
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