Australia calls for miner in Solomons to be treated fairly

3:42 pm on 6 November 2019

The Australian government has called for fair treatment of Australian miner Axiom by Solomon Islands.

Axiom drilling activity on Isabel Nickel Project.

Axiom drilling activity on Isabel Nickel Project. Photo: Supplied

The company had been mining nickel in Isabel province.

The Solomons' government has cancelled Axiom's foreign investment license after denying it an export license, The Australian newspaper reports.

Axiom has also been told its expatriate workers cannot stay in the country.

Australia's foreign office has expressed concern and called for Axiom to be treated fairly in accordance with Solomon Islands law.

Axiom, which has invested $US34 million into its Isabel Nickel operation, said it would fight the loss of its investment licence.

One of its mining claims in Solomons Islands has reportedly been assigned to Bintan mining, the company responsible for an oil spill off Rennel island in the Solomons earlier this year.