The Government has defended the independence of its investigation into the controversial 33 bauxite shipments from Rennell Island, rejecting Opposition claims that the inquiry lacks transparency and credibility.
In a statement, the Government said the investigation remains active and is being conducted “professionally, impartially and within the ambits of the law”, despite growing calls from the Opposition for greater clarity on its progress.
The inquiry, announced on 10 June, is examining 33 shipments of bauxite exported from Rennell Island between 2017 and 2019 during the previous Democratic Coalition Government led by former Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela and later the Democratic Coalition for Advancement (DCA) Government under Manasseh Sogavare.
Government said officials from the relevant agencies held their first formal meeting on 6 July to assess documents already collected and identify additional records required for the investigation.
It said investigators have begun reviewing documents dating back to 2017, warning that the process is complex and cannot be rushed.
“The examination of records and documentation has commenced and is yet to be completed,” the statement said.
“The investigation goes back to 2017 and therefore requires diligent examination.”
The Government also indicated that former ministers and officials involved at the time—including current Opposition Leader Manasseh Sogavare—could be questioned as part of the inquiry.
“The investigation may require the Leader of the Opposition and others who were in government at the material time to answer for what they did or did not know about the 33 shipments,” the statement said.
However, the Government declined to say whether investigators have identified unpaid royalties, taxes or other financial obligations owed to the State, arguing that releasing such information could compromise the investigation.
It also refused to disclose the identities of officials and company representatives assisting investigators, saying the inquiry must proceed without political interference or public pressure.
The Government said no completion date has been set because the timeframe will depend on the volume of documents still to be examined.
“While setting a timeframe is important, the Government is cautious not to compromise the quality of the investigation simply to satisfy a random deadline,” it said.
The statement comes after the Opposition questioned the independence of the investigation and sought an update on its progress.
The 33 shipments have become one of Solomon Islands’ most politically sensitive mining controversies.
The exports were allegedly shipped from West Rennell between 2017 and 2019 without proper ministerial approval, raising questions over unpaid royalties, export duties and whether mining laws were breached.
Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s GREAT Coalition Government has made the investigation a key part of its broader pledge to reform the mining sector, strengthen accountability and address what it describes as years of poor governance in the country’s extractive industries.
The Government said the public would be informed of the findings once all relevant evidence had been collected and assessed.
“We remain committed to accountability, transparency and the rule of law while ensuring the investigation proceeds free from political interference and public pressure,” the statement said.
