THE Koehoto Landowners Association (KLA) says it has not objected to any application submitted to the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) for the acquisition of a Prospecting Licence (PL) over lands within its territory.
Paramount Chief Rockson Tele has appealed to tribal members and leaders not to interfere with the legal process outlined under the Mines and Minerals Act for applying for mineral rights.
He said it is important for landowners to understand that this initial application stage must be allowed to proceed without disruption.
Tele stressed that landowners’ involvement in the process begins only during negotiations for a Surface Access Agreement (SAA), which take place after an investor is issued a Letter of Intent by the Mines and Minerals Board.
“Landowners only have the right to oppose or accept during SAA negotiations,” Tele said. “At the moment, we don’t have the power to oppose any investor who wishes to apply for a PL from the Ministry of Mines.”
However, Tele reaffirmed that KLA remains strongly opposed to granting a prospecting licence over Mt Vunusa SPL 194 in Central Guadalcanal to Gold Ridge Mining Company Limited (GRML).
He said this position is based on long-standing concerns, including:
Lack of benefits
KLA says that despite decades of foreign investment at Gold Ridge, the Koehoto people have continued to miss out on royalties, communal development benefits and other entitlements—an injustice, they say, given that much of the operational area falls within Koehoto land.
SAA signing and traditional objections
The association cited the SAA signing at Obo’obo Village in 2022, where two traditional chupu presentations were made—one led by men and another by women. Both raised concerns related to inheritance, matrilineal rights and children’s welfare, and both groups strongly opposed granting any licence to GRML.
Repeated objection letters
The community and its leadership have repeatedly submitted formal objection letters opposing any mining or exploration activities in the area.
Lack of consultation and assessments
KLA says development activities have proceeded without proper consultation, awareness programs, social assessments, or recognition of land boundaries and traditional ownership, leaving the community feeling “disheartened and disadvantaged.”
Environmental concerns
The association noted that the Koehoto region does not have the required Environmental Impact Assessments for proposed activities, raising compliance and safety concerns.
Breach of the Mines Act
KLA claims that certain safe-work activities undertaken by GRML and its consultants appear inconsistent with provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act, including matters previously revoked but not properly resolved.
Unauthorized development activities
The group also alleges that road construction and bulldozing works have been carried out without consultation, legal consent, or compliance with the Environmental Act 1998 and the Mines and Minerals Act.
KLA has called on the Mines and Minerals Board and the Solomon Islands Government to carefully and fully consider its concerns before making any decision on the Mt Vunusa prospecting application.
Photo caption: A chupu at Turarana village in Central Guadalcanal recently.
