Landowners of Gold Ridge today petitioned Prime Minister Matthew Wale on the proposed amendments to the Mineral Resources Bill 2025, insisting they need more time to consult.
The Mineral Resources Bill 2025 was recently presented to parliament, but debate was deferred after Central Guadalcanal MP Peter Shanel Agovaka requested parliament to delay the debate so that further consultations could be carried out.
Chief Walton Naezon from the Gold Ridge community, which currently hosts the country’s biggest mining operation, presented the petition to PM Wale.
Naezon said the landowners wanted more time to understand the proposed amendments, particularly their potential implications for landowners’ rights and benefits.
“This will give us more time to understand how the Bill will be administered, especially in relation to the rights and benefits of landowners,” he said.
Naezon also raised questions about the proposed Sovereign Wealth Fund, saying landowners wanted greater clarity and a better understanding of how it would work.
He described the petition as a respectful request and said the landowners remained willing to work with the GREAT Coalition Government.
Receiving the petition, Prime Minister Wale thanked the landowners for bringing their concerns directly to the Government and welcomed the opportunity for further dialogue.
He assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the Government Caucus.
Wale also clarified that the current Mineral Resources Bill 2025 does not contain provisions establishing a Sovereign Wealth Fund.
“The Sovereign Wealth Fund will be dealt with under separate legislation. The amendments proposed now have nothing to do with the Sovereign Wealth Fund,” he explained.
Prime Minister Wale said the proposed amendments were based on recommendations arising from consultations conducted by the previous Bills and Legislation Committee.
He said the Government’s objective was to ensure landowners and provinces received a fairer and more reasonable share of the benefits generated from Solomon Islands’ mineral resources.
“We respect the rights of our landowners. The GREAT Coalition’s policy is that landowners must become wealthy.
“When companies make profits from our resources, our landowners and provinces must also receive a fair share,” Wale said.
He reassured the landowners that the Government remained committed to protecting and strengthening their interests as Solomon Islands developed its mineral resources.
“When Cabinet considers the amendments to the Bill, we will provide you with copies and continue the consultation process so you can provide your feedback.
“There is nothing to hide. We need to work together and clear up any misunderstandings,” the Prime Minister said.
“My door is always open. We can continue to talk, listen to each other and find the best way forward for our landowners and our country,” he added.
