Chief Naezon Urges Illegal Gold Panners to Vacate Gold Ridge Mine Pits

by Charley Piringi

Paramount Chief Walton Naezon has made a strong appeal to illegal gold panners at the Gold Ridge mine site on Central Guadalcanal to vacate the pits immediately.

He warned that their activities are disrupting preparations for a major expansion of the mine’s operations.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for Gold Ridge Mining Ltd’s new SBD648 million Processing Plant Expansion Project today, Chief Naezon, who is also a Director of the company, called on the chiefs of the 17 tribes of Gold Ridge to take responsibility for removing their people from the mine area.

“I beg you all, as of today,  please leave the pits,” Chief Naezon told the crowd. 

“The traditional chupu I presented today is for this purpose. Let’s make way for proper mining operations to continue,”he added.

He also appealed to people from other provinces who are working illegally at the site to leave.

“We have people from Malaita, Guadalcanal, Makira, Central, Western, and other provinces here. Your leaders are here. Please listen to them and leave. This is a national project. We do not want to disturb its progress,” he said.

Mines Minister Dreck Manu’ari said the government will work closely with Gold Ridge Mining, community leaders, and the miners themselves to clear the pits.

While stressing the project’s potential to significantly boost the national economy, Minister Manu’ari said environmental safeguards remain a priority.

“We will align operations with the forthcoming Mineral Resources Bill, monitor environmental compliance, and ensure a strong environmental management framework is in place before major works proceed,” he said.

This week in Parliament, Minister Manuari said in Parliament that illegal miners in the pit is a great concern for the government and investors. 

“In its peak, the illegal miners reached thousands of miners. It’s a serious matter. Now it’s reduced after actions taken. As estimated by the investor, the illegal panners are making SBD210 million dollars per annum. This is alarming!”

“We have introduced the High-Level National Security Taskforce to oversee this issue. This is to coordinate the government approach with the security situation at the pits.”

Guadalcanal Premier Willie Atu voiced concerns about possible environmental damage to downstream communities along the Metapona River.

“The Solomon Islands will benefit from this operation, but the government must ensure strong laws and environmental safeguards so our people are not badly affected by mining run-off,” he said.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who officiated the ceremony alongside Minister Manu’ari, expressed the need for close cooperation between government, investors, and resource owners.

He said the GNUT government is committed to modernizing the mining sector through the Mineral Resources Bill 2022, which is currently before Parliament.

“The new bill will strengthen governance, improve transparency, and ensure better revenue-sharing mechanisms for landowners,” the Prime Minister said.

Minister Manu’ari noted that mining has the potential to contribute over 50% of Solomon Islands’ GDP.

The new expansion will increase Gold Ridge’s processing capacity from 10 million tonnes per annum to 13 million tonnes, marking a significant investment in the country’s mining sector.