UNIVERSITY of the South Pacific (USP) doctoral student Dickson Boboria has stood by his research findings that cyanide was found in sediments downstream of the Gold Ridge mine in central Guadalcanal.
And he stated that there is no time to argue, but to deal with the issue.
“Let me say this. What I told the media were my general findings based on the analysis I made last year,” Mr Boboria told the Solomon Star on Wednesday.
“I am yet to release the data from my research,” he added.
“But I’ve decided to release news about my findings for the safety and interest of the people who requested me to collect the samples there.”
Mr Boboria said he was at the Metapona downstream community last year collecting samples on the request of the community elders, who told him that a lot of research hads been done there previously, but there was no awareness.
“After all, I am a Solomon Islander, and I felt that I had an obligation to help my people; to speak in a simple language that they can understand about their environment.
“As a citizen, my only concern is my people; not money whatsoever.
“People need to be aware of their environment rather than living an ignorant life. Tell them about the cyanide quantity you denied earlier. They need awareness.”
Mr Boboria said he acknowledged his critics and has encouraged them to work together to ensure the safety of the communities.
“He added if Gold Ridge Mining Ltd (GRML) has done similar researches in the area before, then they must release their data and carry out awareness for the people.
GRML has refuted Mr Boboria’s findings, stating they are in direct contradiction to the cyanide sampling results obtained from Gold Ridge Mine and accredited independent environmental consultants.
By CHARLEY PIRINGI