The Solomon Islands Court of Appeal has granted an interim restraint order against an Australian company, Axiom Mining, to stop it from restarting its activities to begin prospecting for nickel in Isabel province.
The order comes just days after the High Court gave the company the all clear after a lengthy battle over prospecting and land rights against the Japanese mining giant Sumitomo.
Sumitomo's latest application took Axiom by surprise and an adjournment was given for full legal representation next week.
Axiom CEO Ryan Mount says he is confident the matter will be resolved and is considering an urgent appeal from the decision to grant an interim injunction.
