POLICE has been called on to investigate and intervene what was described as a tense situation at the mining site at Lavaku Bay in Rennell Island.
It was reported Indonesian Mining Company BinTang Borneo Ltd and its associates are insisting to land their machineries and equipments at the mine site.
A villager Mike Teagei of Rennell said police must quickly intervene and investigate what he described will turn violent if police fail to respond accordingly.
Teagei said the arrival of BinTang Company at Rennell is illegal since their prospecting license was recently revoked by the mining board.
He added that reports of harassment by the group have sparked serious concerns to Rennell people.
“We were informed that no proper clearance is done by both the Quarantine and Customs & Excise prior to the company’s departure to Rennell,” Teagei said.
He said since the company’s license was revoked by the mining board, it is proper for them to leave Rennell because any activities they are going o do will be illegal.
The villager further stressed that if the company and its associates continue to force the landing of the machineries and equipments, police must act because they violates the laws of this country and is a criminal act.
Teagei urged police to dispatch a team to Rennell to investigate the reports of harassment and intervene to stop the illegal entry of the mining company on the island which raised serious concerns to the security of women and children on the island.
Solomon Star understands the mining board revokes BinTang Borneo’s prospecting license and mining lease last Wednesday.
Meanwhile, another mining company Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID) was the company that has been issued its prospecting licences and mining lease.
A ground breaking ceremony to mark the start of company’s operation took place on Rennell at the end of last month.
By DANIEL NAMOSUAIA