A man’s body was found at a gold mine in the Solomon Islands following a landslide incident. The landslide occurred at an open pit mine on Guadalcanal, the largest island in the South Pacific nation, on July 27. The body of the man was recovered within 24 hours of the incident.
The landslide covered a 100-meter stretch on an access road leading to the pit. The cause of the landslide remains unknown, as stated by Prime Minister Matthew Wale. Authorities are conducting a search operation to determine if other individuals are trapped under the debris.
Concerns have been raised about the mining practices leading to the incident. The mine’s owners, Wanguo Gold Group Ltd, confirmed that none of their employees were harmed, and mining operations have resumed. The deceased individual was identified as Ashley Olo by the police, although it was not specified if he was a mine worker.
Reports suggest that some individuals reported missing were not mine employees but informal miners. The gold mine, located near Honiara, is the only large-scale mine in the country. Previously owned by an Australian company, the mine was sold in 2015 due to safety concerns related to natural disasters.
The site has a history of disputes between local landowners, illegal miners, and law enforcement. Despite the tragic incident, the mine continues its operations under the ownership of the Wanguo Gold Group.