The Australian owner of the troubled Gold Ridge mine in Solomon Islands has confirmed it is trying to sell it to the Solomons' Government.
The mine, which was once a cornerstone of the country's economy, has not operated since early April after flooding put it out of action.
Since then the Government and Melbourne based owner, St Barbara, have bickered over security at the plant and other issues.
This culminated in the Government refusing to allow expatriate staff to fly back into the country following the flooding - a stance it maintained for two months.
Earlier this month the company laid off hundreds of local workers and now confirms it is talking to the Government about it buying the operation.
