BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Leader of the Opposition Mathew Wale has strongly urged the Minister of Mines, Derick Manuari, to take stern action against illegal mining activities.
Wale made the call after the cessation of illegal mining operations in the upper Balasuna River in Guadalcanal this year.
The case, which is now under police investigation, involved a company that was identified as AAA after a collaborative inspection from the Police, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Mines and Rural Electrification last month.
“I wonder if the Ministry, I mean, this kind of behaviour, we have seen in logging for many, many years. They go in a concession, and then encroach all over the land that is not signed up for in that concession. And get away with it, and they find it too easy to get away with it.
“So I’m wondering if the Ministry should take steps to put up a blacklist so that companies, company directors, company shareholders, company workers and individuals involved in this kind of blatant arrogance, illegal activity of mines, get on that. And then they will never be able to deal with the Ministry again in any way, form, whether on behalf of someone or consultant, or apply for a licence themselves, or speculate or anything,” said Wale.
He said that this would be a very good way to respond administratively to this kind of blatant arrogance and flouting of our laws.
In February this year, a report was submitted to the Ministry that machines were being moved to Balasuna.
On the 21st of the same month, a letter was delivered to the Guadalcanal Provincial Police to request the operators to immediately cease the activities.
However, no actions were immediately taken at that time and an inspector was sent to visit the site on 24th March this year, conducting a verification report and issuing a verbal order to stop operations.
A few days later, on 28th March, another stop notice was issued, along with a verification report, delivered to the Guadalcanal Police.
A week later, the police went to visit the site and ceased all operations and removed all machines.
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