AU Capital Mining may face local dispute over bauxite mining licence in Solomon Islands

Temotu province of Solomon Islands is facing growing community unrest over bauxite mining licence and operations.

The Australian mining company, AU Capital Mining, co-owned by Pacific Bauxite, recently  won a license to explore bauxite mining at Nende in Temotu. According to media reports, bauxite interests are linked with recent political turmoil in the province.

Temotu's former provincial premier, Nelson Omar claims that his recent removal from post was because he rejected licenses for mining and logging interests.  He had rejected Pacific Bauxite for a business license.

"The consent from the resource owners, the land owners, how it was conducted was not done in accordance with existing legislations which govern the mining and logging acts."

Pacific Bauxite has insisted it has consulted with locals regarding bauxite mining.

 "The Company is extensively engaged with the local community and is ensuring that all stakeholders are made fully aware of current and future activities regarding the Project.”

They said their meetings with the locals have been positive and the recent phase of exploration has been welcomed with great enthusiasm.  However the company was still without a business license in late March when the new premier, David Maina was elected.

Mr Omar says he was removed in order to approve a business license for Pacific Bauxite and the license was granted in an urgent executive meeting. He says there is no official approval from the local people on bauxite mining.

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The Director of Mines, Thomas Toba, however says that Mines officials considered numerous objections to mining before granting the company a prospecting license. Mr Toba also adds that officials from his department plans to go to remote Temotu to listen to the local community.

Pacific Bauxite would reportedly sign of the documents late this month before the commencement of prospecting.