MMERE begins nationwide compliance checks of Gold Dealer Licence holders to ensure lawful mining operations
Honiara, Solomon Islands | 10 June 2026: The National Government, through the Mines Division of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), has commenced compliance verification of all Gold Dealer Licence holders in the country, following the government’s policy direction on gold dealing operations.
The Prime Minister’s recent announcement coincides with the Mines Division’s regular monitoring of gold dealing operations. The Division has completed scheduled inspections of licensed operations and is taking necessary steps to ensure compliance with the law.
Inspection and monitoring of GDL holders are carried out under the Mines and Minerals Act (MMA). The process begins with a review of monthly records and reports submitted by each licence holder as required under Section 61(2) of the MMA. Where monthly reports are absent or incomplete, Mines Inspectors conduct physical inspections to verify operations and regulatory compliance. This approach was applied during the recent inspections.
The inspections covered six of the ten current GDL holders, as these entities were actively operating in Guadalcanal at the time. Three licence holders were identified as inactive, while one provincial operator is yet to be inspected. For consistency and fairness, any regulatory action affecting all ten licence holders will only be considered after the remaining licence holder is inspected and a full compliance assessment is completed.
The Directorate Office also notes the inspection was a joint exercise with other law enforcement agencies, including the Labour Division and the Guadalcanal Province Enforcement Division. The Labour Division had previously informed certain licence holders of labour-related non-compliance. Updates on responses and corrective actions by affected operators have helped the Mines Division assess compliance levels and inform subsequent notices under the MMA.
To ensure due process and procedural fairness, the Directorate Office will implement the following actions over 2 months:
All active GDL holders identified with compliance deficiencies will be formally notified and given sufficient time to respond.
Upon expiry of the compliance period, verification inspections will be conducted to confirm whether corrective actions have been implemented.
Where non-compliance persists, the Directorate Office will refer the matter to the appropriate authority for further action. All GDL holders will be given the opportunity under the law to respond to non-compliance issues.
Failure to adequately respond to a Show Cause Notice, or to rectify identified non-compliance issues, may result in cancellation of the relevant GDL in accordance with the MMA.
The Directorate Office remains fully committed to implementing Government policy directives. In carrying out this mandate, it is undertaking a thorough process of verification and compliance assessment of all GDL holders nationwide. At the same time, it is committed to ensuring all actions are lawful, transparent, and in line with established legal and administrative procedures. Any decisions on the continuation, suspension, or cancellation of licences will be based on verified facts, compliance outcomes, and the requirements of the MMA.
The Ministry appreciates the cooperation of all licence holders, stakeholders, and the public as this process continues and will provide further updates as necessary.
PRESS RELEASE
