Johnston Timothy Peseika, former Premier of Rennell and Bellona, is urging the current provincial executive to suspend all mining activities. His call comes in response to unfulfilled promises made by Bintan Mining Solomon Islands (BMSI) to landowners and the environmental devastation left behind during bauxite mining operations on Rennell from 2008 to 2011.
“I urge Premier Derek Pongi to immediately halt all mining activities on Rennell and convene a public meeting to establish a moratorium on both mining and logging operations,” Peseika stated.
“We must resolve the outstanding issues from past operations before considering negotiations with new investors. Only once these matters are settled can the province move forward responsibly.”
Currently, Nickel Enterprise Solomon Islands (NESI) is preparing to commence operations on Rennell, claiming to have fulfilled all legal requirements.
NESI has also pledged significant investment in the area.
However, Peseika remains skeptical of these claims.
“In my view, it’s nothing but a blatant lie,” he said.
“NESI is owned and managed by Fred Teng, the same individual who was behind Bintan Mining Solomon Islands (BMSI), a subsidiary of Bintang Mining Company (BMC). BMSI, in partnership with Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID), mined West Rennell until it was unable to pay its debts. To evade payment, BMSI strategically liquidated itself.”
Peseika further emphasized that he has every right to question NESI’s integrity.
Coming from Ward 3, where much of the land was destroyed by BMSI and APID, he witnessed firsthand the environmental disaster caused by the oil spill from their hired bulk carrier, Solomon Trader.
“Both companies failed to pay royalties from 33 shipments to the landowners whose gardens were destroyed. They left the province in a state of disrepair,” Peseika said.
“Despite this damage, including unpaid royalties and compensation, the premier who initially issued the business license to APID-BMSI in 2008 now justifiably questions how much NESI truly intends to invest in Rennell.”
Peseika recalled that in 2008, he issued the original license to BMC based on promises of significant investments.
The company had pledged $38 million for prospecting work and had promised extensive infrastructure development for Rennell, including the construction of an international airport, a wharf, road upgrades, a hospital, a shipping service between Rennell and Honiara, and the payment of school fees for local children.
“These promises convinced many to support the mining operation, especially with the assurance that development would precede any mining activities,” Peseika said.
“But now, NESI is making similar promises, which I highly doubt they have the resources to fulfill. Fred Teng, who liquidated BMSI to avoid debts, is now in charge of NESI. If BMSI was financially strained, how could he now have the funds for NESI’s prospecting work?”
According to Peseika, BMC and APID initially made goodwill payments of $20,000 to each of the 12 identified communities for two consecutive years to secure support for their prospecting activities.
However, once the prospecting license expired in 2011, further payments and promised developments never materialized.
Instead, the province was left with increased problems, lawlessness, and environmental degradation.
“I deeply regret enabling this during my tenure, and I sincerely hope Premier Derek Pongi does not fall into the same trap of believing in NESI’s empty promises,” Peseika added.
Premier Derek Pongi and his executive have yet to issue a business license to NESI, as the company still needs to provide key documents, including Mines and Minerals Board approval, proof of financial capability, expertise in mining, and legitimate Surface Access Agreements (SAA) with genuine landowners.
“I urge the provincial executive to conduct a thorough due diligence process and ensure that NESI meets all legal requirements before considering any license,” Peseika said.
Peseika also supports the call by the West Rennell Land and Resource Owners Association (WRL&ROA) for the Director of Mines and the Commissioner of Lands to withhold any further documents for NESI until all court cases challenging the controversial land titles in West Rennell are resolved.
“As one of the five witnesses who testified against Land Acquisition Officer Laury Penrose Palmer, who was found guilty of corrupt practices funded by BMSI, I have no doubt Fred Teng of NESI was involved in the alleged bribery,” Peseika claimed.
Additionally, Peseika revealed that he has formally withdrawn his family’s land from NESI’s prospecting tenements, as it had been included without his consent.
“To me, this is nothing short of criminal,” Peseika concluded.
