BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Gordon Darcy Lilo, and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale have condemned the burning and destruction of machinery and equipment at the Gold Ridge Mining (GRML) site earlier this week.
The leaders expressed serious concern over the violence, calling for calm, dialogue and decisive government action to address the underlying causes of the unrest.
Following the incident, Prime Minister (PM) Manele urged all parties to exercise restraint, maintain peace, and prioritise the safety of surrounding communities.
While he recognised reports of damage to equipment at the mine site, he said that the immediate focus must be on dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation.
“As a nation, land is central to our identity and way of life. While the destruction of property is illegal, such actions reflect strong emotions and a desire to be heard. To move forward, all parties must come together through dialogue and seek solutions that respect both the law and customary practices,” PM Manele said.
He appealed to GRML, chiefs, community leaders, and youth in Central Guadalcanal to help maintain calm and prevent further escalation and encouraged patience while efforts continue to identify a path forward grounded in respect, understanding, and peaceful engagement.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Honiara and PAC Chairman, Gordon Darcy Lilo described the incident as a grave and avoidable situation, reflecting to a failure to maintain open and continuous dialogue with landowners over longstanding grievances.
Lilo also warned that the possible involvement of competing foreign companies seeking mining tenements within the broader Gold Ridge area cannot be ignored.
He called on the Ministry of Mines and the Mining Board to immediately halt the issuance of consents and prospecting licences while government works toward reforming the mining policy and legislative framework.
He urged the government to reinstate its commitment to international regulatory standards, particularly compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), to ensure transparency and equitable treatment of landowners and stakeholders.
“The current operational situation at Gold Ridge is untenable, adding that decisive and transparent government action is urgently required to restore confidence and stability in the sector,” Lilo said.
Opposition Leader Matthew Wale strongly condemned the arson, saying that the wilful destruction of private property is a serious criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.
“While there may be long-standing landowner grievances and frustrations over operations and land issues, there are lawful avenues available to address these concerns. Resorting to violence and intimidation only worsens the situation and harms ordinary citizens, workers, and landowning communities who rely on stability for their livelihoods,” Wale said.
Wale urged the government to conduct thorough investigations into both the criminal acts and the underlying issues fuelling tensions around the unrest.
He warned that such incidents can damage investor confidence and tarnish the country’s image in the mining sector.
“Our nation cannot afford actions that threaten peace, investment confidence, and social cohesion,” he said.
He called on all parties to remain calm and pursue peaceful, lawful means to resolve disputes and prevent a repeat of an unrest.
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