_{by Charley Piringi}

Royalty Payments for six shipments of nickel from Isabel province made last year are withheld at the Central Bank of Solomon Islands. 

The shipments were from Kolosori and Suma Mining tenements, with three shipments from each, owned by Pacific Nickle and Solomon Islands Resources Company Ltd respectively.  

Director for Mines Krista Tatapu confirmed in an exclusive interview with In-depth Solomons. 

This is the following question raised by Isabel landowners from Kolosori and Suma Tenaments as to when they will be paid.

“The fund is actually at the Central Bank as we speak. However, the deal came after a dispute arose between the landowning g tribes in Isabel. We only recorded two landowning groups for the two tenements for royalty payments. But later the third group sits between the areas where the two tenements overlap. They came to our office with valid legal documents for proof, so we considered them part of the royalty payments. That’s what makes the delay.”

_{Kolosori mining camp, Isabel Province| Credits: Junior Kurt Mamaloni}

She said they are working on settling the landowning tribes as the Attorney General’s Office will be advising them on dealing with the landowners before releasing the payments.

“It’s not only the landowners that still waiting for the payment. The government is also waiting for its dues, once this fund is released.”

Mrs. Tatapu said, “Once that is settled, we will advise the central Bank to release funds.”

Central Bank Governor Dr. Luke Forau confirmed the royalty payment.

^{Batches awaiting to load nickles for shipment at Kolosori ramp| Credits: Pacific Nickel.}

Last week, the Ministry of Mines consulted with resource owners and stakeholders on the Mineral Resources Bill 2023.

The three-day consultation was welcomed by stark criticism and debates where resource owners demanded the government to do more consultation on the bill before taking it to parliament. 

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mines Bradley Tovosia told local media that the bill has to go before parliament before the GNUT government’s hundred-day policy lapses. 

“We had a very good workshop last week. The participants have raised their concerns and the officials have taken note of every concern. Then we will bring it down to the cabinet as soon as they summarise the workshop’s outcomes and concerns raised. So the bill will be done within 100 days as well.”

The push for the tabling of the bill is part of the former Sogavred-led DCGA policy to fast-track mining activities in the country.

Banner Photo by Junior Kurt Mamaloni