BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has voiced strong support for customary landowners in South Choiseul who have raised concerns over alleged unlawful mining activities at Kamaboe Camp, calling for claims to be tested through law and publicly verified evidence rather than personal assertions.
In a statement, TSI referred to reports published in the Solomon Star on January 23, which allege that mining operations had commenced at Kamaboe Camp in an area said to fall outside the originally approved Siruka mining tenement.
The concerns also include claims that Solomon Islands Mining Company Limited, owned by businessman Johnny Sy, has failed to comply with relevant laws and regulatory requirements.
TSI said the core issue is not a dispute between individuals but whether mining activities are being carried out lawfully and transparently.
According to TSI, landowners opposing the Kamaboe Camp operation have repeatedly pointed to the absence of publicly verified development consent, mining lease and land acquisition approvals for the site.
TSI noted that landowners have cited meetings with officials from the Ministry of Environment, during which they were reportedly told that required approvals had not been granted.
These concerns were later formalised in written complaints to both the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment.
However, TSI said no clear public clarification has been issued to resolve the matter.
The statement follows a counter-article by Chief David Akizama, who claims that Kamaboe Camp falls within an approved mining tenement and that operations are therefore lawful.
TSI said such claims rely on personal assurances rather than publicly available documentation.
“Legality is established through official approvals, gazetted tenement maps and demonstrated compliance with the law, not verbal assertion,” TSI said.
TSI urges the Solomon Islands Government to publicly release all relevant approvals and tenement maps, clarify the status of required permits, publish environmental monitoring findings, and take enforcement action where breaches are identified.
TSI said landowners are justified in seeking answers to protect their land, environment and livelihoods.
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