“We wanted everyone to speak freely and be heard,” says GRML’s Benjamin Afuga
BY JOY OFASIA
Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), in partnership with the Gold Ridge Community and Landowners Association (GRCLA) and other key stakeholders, recently completed a month-long joint community awareness program aimed at educating and engaging landowning communities about the Gold Ridge Mine project.
The awareness campaign began on August 25th and concluded on Monday, September 1st, 2025, covering selected communities in Central Guadalcanal. Sessions were held with a wide range of groups, including women, youth, church leaders, community elders, and tribal representatives.
Speaking during a media conference on August 29th in Honiara, GRML and GCIL Director and Public Relations Manager, Mr. Benjamin Afuga, said the awareness program was designed to foster open dialogue and strengthen transparency and trust.
“We wanted to give different groups the opportunity to speak out freely — to raise issues based on their unique experiences and concerns,” Mr. Afuga said. “By listening to them separately, we were able to gather a lot of valuable information.”
Listening to Communities
Andrew Nihopara, Deputy Head of Community Relations, highlighted that the sessions were not just about providing information, but also about collecting feedback.
“This is a two-way process. We want to hear from our communities so that we can take their voices into account, especially in discussions around possible agreement reviews,” he explained.
The awareness sessions focused on:
- Project updates
- Roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
- Environmental safeguards
- Community safety
- Project benefits and employment opportunities
Involving the Right Voices
The Gold Ridge Community and Landowners Council (GRCLC) led the coordination of the awareness program. According to organizers, the goal was to ensure that landowning communities received accurate information directly from the company and relevant stakeholders.
GRCLC also extended invitations to key partners, including:
- The Solomon Islands Government
- Guadalcanal Provincial Government
- The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF)
- Various community-based organisations and stakeholders
“It’s important that our people get the right information, not through rumours or hearsay, but from the people who are involved in the project,” Mr. Afuga said.
As GRML moves closer to full production, these community awareness efforts are seen as vital steps toward ensuring that the development of the Gold Ridge Mine is inclusive, transparent, and beneficial to all parties involved.
