SINO Oceania International Limited has reached a reconciliation with the family of Johnson Losi, who allegedly circulated false information on social media.
Losi had uploaded a 20-second video showing SINO manager Robert Lee speaking to landowners of Lower Paripao in North East Guadalcanal.
He claimed that Lee was making “false promises” about the benefits of a potential mining operation.
However, the company said the video was taken out of context and amounted to defamation, noting that SINO has followed all due processes, including obtaining its Prospecting Licence from the Mines and Minerals Board and its business licence from the Guadalcanal Provincial Government.
SINO further stated that Losi’s father, Pastor Martin Lusi, had supported the company’s prospecting activities during consultations with landowners.
During a reconciliation ceremony on Tuesday, Johnson’s family presented a chupu consisting of a pig, root crops, and Guadalcanal shell money to Lee.
Pastor Losi, a former director of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission, said he was not aware of the video when it was uploaded.
He contacted his son earlier this week and explained that the landowners had supported SINO’s activities.
He apologised to Robert Lee for his son’s actions.
Lee accepted the apology, saying he holds no ill feelings toward Johnson.
He said the company has complied with all legal requirements and looks forward to working with landowners during the prospecting phase.
