A Solomon Islands Government technical team has completed a fact-finding mission to Papua New Guinea to examine its approach to mineral resources management, gold refining and downstream processing as Honiara prepares to strengthen its mining sector framework.
The delegation visited Port Moresby from 20 to 26 September, holding discussions with government agencies, financial institutions and private-sector operators on the policy, regulatory and institutional arrangements supporting PNG’s minerals industry.
The mission was led by Chris Vehe, permanent secretary for mines, energy and rural electrification, and included senior officials from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury.
Sam Kaupa, mineral sector adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office, and Mckinnie Dentana, a former finance and treasury permanent secretary, also joined the delegation. Solomon Islands High Commissioner to PNG William Soaki helped coordinate the programme.
The team met representatives of the Mineral Resources Authority, Bank of Papua New Guinea, Kumul Minerals Holdings Ltd, Italpreziosi South Pacific Ltd and the Mineral Resources Development Company.
Discussions covered the roles of government agencies, state-owned enterprises, financial institutions and private companies in managing mineral resources, as well as opportunities to develop domestic refining and processing capacity.
The delegation also examined how downstream value addition could help retain more economic benefits from mineral resources within the country, including the opportunities and challenges involved in establishing local processing industries.
The visit comes as Solomon Islands works to strengthen its legislative and institutional framework for responsible and sustainable mineral development. A Mineral Resources Bill is expected to be presented to Parliament soon, according to the Solomon Islands Government.
The government said the mission provided an opportunity to study PNG’s practical experience and consider approaches that could inform its own policy, legislative and institutional development.
The Solomon Islands Government thanked its PNG counterpart, participating institutions and companies for sharing their technical knowledge and experience.
The High Commission of Solomon Islands in PNG said it looked forward to continued cooperation between the two countries as Honiara pursues the development of a responsible, sustainable and economically beneficial minerals sector.
