THE Member of Parliament for East Are’are, Peter Kenilorea Jr has expressed concern over the government’s positioning of mining as the next major pillar for national economic development.
Kenilorea said whilst the government embraces this policy direction, concerns about its long-term impact remains prevalent.
In his contribution to the Motion of Sine Die in Parliament in December 2025, the Member for East Are’are voiced strong reservations about the rapid expansion of mining and its potential consequences.
He said while mining may offer economic benefits, it should not come at the expense of the environment or the nation’s future prosperity.
“It is very clear from the budget and the policy position that the government is taking that mining is now seen to be the next big thing for Solomon Islands in terms of our economic development,” Kenilorea remarked.
While acknowledging that such a policy choice is within the rights of any government to make, he raised important questions about the long-term sustainability of this approach.
Kenilorea cited nations in Central and South America, such as Costa Rica and El Salvador who have deliberately avoided mining in favour of preserving their natural resources for eco-tourism.
“These countries have leveraged their environment as a key economic asset, demonstrating that development does not always need to be tied to mineral extraction.
“Just because we have gold or some minerals doesn’t necessarily mean that that is where we should be heading, that is where we should be digging,” Kenilorea stressed.
The MP for East Are’are said Solomon Islands could explore alternative pathways to economic growth that prioritise the protection of its natural heritage.
Drawing parallels with the logging industry, which has often been seen as a missed opportunity for the nation, Kenilorea warned against repeating past mistakes.
“If we had done it differently, perhaps if we had sold timber at world market prices, we would have been the envy of Pacific Island countries,” he said.
Instead, Kenilorea said Solomon Islands failed to maximise the economic potential of its timber resources and now risks making the same error with its mining sector.
“Let us not repeat the mistakes that we should be learning from through the logging industry. The lessons from logging should serve as a cautionary tale when considering the future of mining,” he added.By AGNES MENANOPOSolomon Star, Honiara