The three days national mining and community awareness forum at the Forum Fisheries Agency Head Quarters (FFA) has successfully completed.
The forum was first of its kind in the country which draws key stakeholders, community representatives, government official, local NGOs, mining reps, donor partners and overseas participants.
Objectives of the forum are to create basic knowledge and understanding about issues involving the mining industry the process, risks and benefit sharing issues.
In his closing remarks to the end the forum, minister for mines energy and rural electrification, Moses Garu said without participants’ participation the forum would not turn out successful.
He said the participation of women groups was highly commended with gender balance participation in common effort to promote and successfully develop the mineral sector for the benefit of this country and its people.
Mr Garu hoped that what is learnt will assist in the mutual understanding for forward planning and progress in the mining industry sector.
He highlighted that Solomon Islands was blessed with a good geological base for which the current number of mineral licenses issued as of date to exploring companies if more than sixty and two mining leases which signifies the country’s very interesting geology.
He said Solomon Islands is part of the “Pacific Rim of Fire”, host to some of the world class mines therefore important that all stakeholders must be fairly and adequately versed with the resources and process to which it can be developed, exploited, administered and managed for a maximum benefit to all Solomon islands and its people now and in the future.
He also stressed the paramount importance of such opportunity for which all stakeholders learn from each other their issues of concerns and assist in making ways for a conducive environment for progress of the mineral sector.
The minister advices that we all need to put away our differences and out our heads together in partnership in the development of this sector.
“Also the government too needs to revisit the current mining legislations to make amendment to ensure our mining laws are conducive and attractive to accommodate mineral investors in the country” said Mr Garu.
Also speaking during the closing ceremony is the deputy director of mines Joseph Ishmael highlighted that participating at this forum signifies their enthusiasm and cooperation to ensure that mining industry is operated sustainably for the good of this country and its people.
Mr Ismael hoped that what is learnt out of this forum it will help participants go back to their various works of life and share it to bring a constructive contributions to draw up policies and framework that would bring about maximum benefits for the mining sector and to ensure that it is used sustainably for the enjoyment of our future generation as the theme says,” working together for a sustainable mining”.
Meanwhile World Bank representative Miss Endriana Eftimi said three messages identified out of this three days forum are; lack of information and misunderstanding which can lead to greater harms.
“Therefore the more we share and integrate, the better is the progress unfolding.”
Sitting together and discussing issues that affects all of us is the way forward in ensuring the development of the country, she said.
And her final message was a bird needs two strong wings to fly, therefore humanity needs both men and women to work equally together and help each other in all aspects of planning and decision making to successfully move forward.
The forum was funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the ministry of mines and energy and ministry of finance.
It was coordinated by the Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT)
Participants of the forum showed great appreciation of what they have achieved and hope that more forums like this will be done in the provinces in the future.
By Daniel Namosuaia
Dated: Friday, 19 August 2011 10:01 .
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