The Guadalcanal provincial government in Solomon Islands has expressed disappointed over the attitude of the Australian-owned Gold Ridge Mining Limited.
The province's deputy premier, Stephen Panga, says it saddens his government to note that Gold Ridge Mining went ahead and signed a subsidiary agreement with the Gold Ridge landowners in June.
Mr Panga says the deal was signed without adequately addressing the landowners' issues as well as discussing and having some form of agreement or understanding with the Guadalcanal Province.
He says legal arguments alone do not guarantee nor ensure sustainable development.
He has urged the national government and the company to take onboard the provincial government's concern.
Mining at Gold Ridge was forced to cease during the ethnic unrest.
