OPMC RETRACTS STATEMENT ON AXIOM KB & SMM’s APPEAL DECISION
Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Photo credit: SICR
The Prime Minister’s Office has decided to retract a media statement regarding the Court of Appeal’s decision between Axiom KB Ltd and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) Ltd.
The Government Communication Unit on the sole advise of the Special Secretary to the Prime Minister issued a media statement on 21 March titled ‘GOVERNMENT WELCOMES COURT OF APPEAL DECISION ON MAJOR MINING BATTLE.’
But the Office of the Prime Minister this week says this media statement was later deemed to be erroneous because it misrepresented the Prime Minister and the entire Solomon Islands Government on this case and furthermore, did not reflect the Appeal Court ruling.
The Office of the Prime Minister therefore, apologises to the parties concerned of any inconvenience, financial strain or ill-feeling that the erroneous media release may have caused to them and their stakeholders.
The OPMC assures all concerned parties and the country that the DCC Government remains steadfast in its commitment to develop the National Mineral Policy, to review and amend the Mines and Minerals Act as well as the mineral exploration and mining operations in the country.