Preparations are underway for the setup of a new independent centre called Solomon Islands Mining Advisory Centre (SIMAC) under the Government’s National Minerals Policy. The Chief Mining Inspector, during a public consultation of the new mining law, said that SIMAC will provide more support to landowners and communities who are impacted by mining projects. This support could be in the form of legal advice, awareness training, financial management support, and other services to enable effective participation by landowners, communities and other project impacted persons. (Source: Solomon Star, 15 May 2019)

Mining operations tend to have significant impact on the environment and on the lives of people who live in and around, and depend on, that environment. Recognising this, it seems that the Government has set up SIMAC to address this issue, where those affected by mining can go and get advice. Apart from giving advice, it is not clear what else SIMAC will do. While the Government describes it as an independent body, it is not clear who will comprise SIMAC, how SIMAC will be funded, and whose interests SIMAC will ultimately represent.

#dontworryimfromthegovernmentandimheretohelp

The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification recently finished a successful consultation with members of the landowning groups at Gold Ridge Mine about the National Mineral Policy, the new mining law, and the Solomon Islands Minerals Advisory Centre (SIMAC). An important topic discussed during the consultation was SIMAC, which will be an independent body like a watchdog to oversee the operation and provide feedback as well as recommendations for the purpose of influencing the Ministry. Also discussed at the consultation was the need to improve how the mining sector is regulated given the recent experience in Rennell, Isabel, and Guadalcanal. The Ministry added that the consultation for the new mining law took place in Honiara in September 2018 and is planned for Guadalcanal, Isabel, Rennell, and Choiseul in May 2019. (Source: Solomon Star, 15 May 2019)

With the consultation timetable set to end in May 2019, the new mining law may be ready for Parliament by late 2019 or early 2020. The Government may be keen to fast-track this new mining law to ensure Government revenue continues to flow with logging revenue expected to decline in the future.

#dontworryimfromthegovernmentandimheretohelp

The DCGA Government is working on a new mining law, one that promises to promote economic development in an ‘environmentally sustainable’ manner. Prime Minister Sogavare acknowledged that Solomon Islands had been caught in a very ‘awkward situation’ recently over mining issues. (Source: Solomon Star)

Apparently, previous Governments were not able to prevent that ‘awkward situation’ from happening under the existing mining law. With logging expected to decline in the near future, mining is seen as the next big source of Government revenue. However, the minerals are located under customary land so accessing them may be difficult if customary landowners refuse to cooperate with the Government or the mining company. How the new mining law will overcome these problems will be interesting.

#dontworryimfromthegovernmentandimheretohelp