Solomon Islands Police are now at the Gold Ridge mine site as reports emerge that at least 10 bodies have been recovered after a ground collapse buried people inside Pit 1 early today.
The incident occurred between 1am and 2am, an eyewitness told In-depth Solomons.
“As I speak, excavators are still clearing the area in search of others who may still be trapped beneath the collapsed earth,” the eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said.
Authorities have yet to confirm the number of casualties or release an official statement.
The victims are believed to be people searching for gold at the site and are not employees of Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), which operates the mine.
Instead, they are believed to be informal or “illegal” miners who enter the mine pits to search for gold independently.
This is not the first fatal incident involving people searching for gold at the mine.
In August last year, two men were killed at Pit 3 after a large rock was reportedly dislodged during mining operations and rolled onto them.
The victims were also reported not to be employees of Gold Ridge Mining Limited. Police launched an investigation into the incident.
In November 2023, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force investigated the death of a 40-year-old man following an accident at Pit 1.
Police did not publicly disclose details of how the accident occurred.
In January this year, a major unrest broke out when more than 30 pieces of heavy machinery were burned during a landowner dispute, prompting a large police response.
Comments are being sought from the mine operator.
Gold Ridge Mine is operated by Gold Ridge Mining Limited, which holds the mining and exploration licences for the project on Guadalcanal.
The company is 70 percent owned by Wanguo International Mining Group of Hong Kong, 20 percent by Australia’s AXF Resources, and 10 percent by Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited (GCIL), which represents local landowners.
