Solomon Islands is unprepared to manage a minerals-based economy

Discusses a range of factors that Solomon Islands villagers face when deciding whether or not to allow access to minerals buried in land over which they hold customary tenure. Introduction Now that Solomon Islands\u27 timber resources are depleted there is a renewed focus on exploiting the nation\u27s mineral resources. With the country\u27s only mine, at Gold Ridge, blocked by downstream villagers from operating, and confusion over which company has the legal right to prospect in other areas there are serious questions about Solomon Islands\u27 ability to manage mineral development so as to benefit from it. Similarities with the distortions accompanying logging are used to demonstrate such unpreparedness. Drawing mainly on local sources of information a range of factors that villagers face when deciding whether or not to allow access to minerals buried in land over which they hold customary tenure is considered. The paper also addresses the weaknesses and uncertainty of national-level arrangements for handling foreign companies\u27 interest in the country\u27s minerals, and some of the ways in which mining companies have manipulated the porous process of mineral development approval