Solomon Islands Gold Ridge Mine to begin production in 2008

The owners of Solomon Islands' only gold mine, which is located at Gold Ridge on Guadalcanal, say their operation will begin gold production in June 2008, eight years after it was shut down by militant fighting between Guadalcanal and Malaita.

During its one year of operation between 1999 and 2000, Gold Ridge Mine produced 30 percent of Solomon Islands GDP.

Gold Ridge Mine manager, Val Buenic said the new operation would be 30 percent larger than before.

Mr Buenic said the operation will employ between 400 to 500 locals and will be on a larger scale than the previous operation.

“The project should be in production on 30th June 2008. We're a year away from pouring our first gold,” he said.

“The stage of the project right now is we're refurbishing the accommodation village on the site. We're about to begin two new relocation villages for the landowners.”

Source: Radio Australia