The Solomon Star is reporting that landholders in the Solomon Islands have mounted a protest against the environmental damage caused by the Gold Ridge mine near Honiara. The mine is owned by Australian company Allied Gold, which is also the operator of the controversial Simberi mine in Papua New Guinea which was forced to close by a tailings leak late last year.

The protest in the Solomon Islands comes at the same time as landholders in Fiji are protesting about the Namosi mine owned by Australian Newcrest Mining* and in PNG various mines are the focus of protests from local people.

The Sinivit gold mine in East New Britain has recently been closed down by local protests** while violence is still being reported around the site of the Chinese owned Ramu nickel mine.*** 

There have also been news reports of protests in Indonesia, not only at the controversial Glasberg mine in Papua, but also on the island of Sumbawa, where Australian miner Arc Exploration has been carrying out operations.****

Only time will tell if these separate protests represent a new phase in the relationship between foreign owned mining companies and the local communities where they operate and if, after years of suffering and frustration, indigenous people are finally prepared to make their demands for justice heard.