BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The newly appointed Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), Dereck Manu’ari says major reforms are currently underway in the ministry.

Speaking in parliament this week, Manu’ari said a major agenda among them is the “Minerals Resources Bill 2025” which is now before parliament.

The bill reflects the commitment of MMERE to carry out a wide-range of reform on important areas under the ministry. 

Seeking clarity on MMERE’s program, Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale has this week, questioned the ministry, cited GNUT’s 100 days policy, as they promised reformed on the mining sector.

He referred to the promise as “largely unfulfilled” while no progress is observed to separate administrative and regulatory powers, leaving the sector vulnerable to ongoing unchecked ministerial control.

He added although a Mining Cadastre System was introduced, the system can be bypassed and enforcement mechanisms remain weak.

“Promised reforms to outdated mining laws and stronger environmental protections have yet to materialize. Revenue transparency and benefit-sharing with resource owners remain distant goals.

Despite bold claims of mining sector transformation, the reality is that governance weaknesses persist, reforms are stalled and the promised new era for sustainable mining has yet to begin.

At this time, the minerals beneath our soil continue to be exploited and one fears, at a loss to the government and resource owners,” Wale said.

In a gesture of response, Minister Manuari highlighted some of the significant reform programs MMERE is currently pursuing.

He emphasized that one of the major reform agendas of the Ministry is the Minerals Resource Bill 2025, which is now before parliament.

“The bill reflects solemn duty to ensure the mining sector operates transparently, sustainably in the best interest of Solomon Islanders, particularly our resource owners.

The reform holds a significant potential to contribute meaningfully to the economic development and prosperity of our country,” Manu’ari said.

The minister echoed that far too long, the mining sector has been operated under outdated laws and fragmented regulatory frameworks that no longer reflected the complexity of modern mining industry.

Meanwhile, Manu’ari said the aim of the Minerals Resource Bill 2025 is to establish a clear, transparent and legal framework that responsibilities and processes across all stakeholders; government, landowners, investors and communities.

He added it gears to strengthen governance and regulatory oversight that involve regulatory bodies to ensure robust balance and enforcement mechanisms.

Manu’ari said in terms of operation, the bill promotes social environmental safeguard in operations and includes free prior and inform concept and mandatory Community Development Agreements (CDA).

He noted that it also aimed at revising royalties and implementing strategy transfer of revenue sharing mechanisms to ensure fair return to landowners, communities and the nation.

Moreover, the minister stated that the bill is designed to attract quality and long-term investments and to provide legal certainty while aligned with global standards.

While the bill is before parliament, he stressed the focus is also on national ownership and interest of resource owners that mineral remains the property of the state.

At the same time, Manu’ari said the bill recognises community rights and participations, where landowners and communities are the active partners in the mining sector.

He mentioned that the bill will also encourage community reserve areas or permits for communities under small scale mining activities.

The minister assured that there is a lot to the bill that is designed to address loopholes currently experienced in the mining sector.

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