23 Mar 2010

Solomon Islands gold mine closed during ethnic tensions re-launched

8:09 am on 23 March 2010

A huge Solomon Islands gold mine that was closed by the years of ethnic tension is to mark its re-development with a launch today

Today's launch follows a reconciliation ceremony between landowners, government officials and the mine's owners yesterday.

The executive chair of the Australian company, Allied Gold Limited, which owns Gold Ridge, Mark Caruso, says today's launch will be attended by many people.

"An opening ceremony [is] to mark the first stages of the redevelopment process of the mine. It's more or less an event that the re-construction will start and in ten months time or thereabouts we'll be in a position to be pouring gold."

Mark Caruso says the launch is an important step in a new era of mining in the country.