With the talk of mining being the future of the Solomon Islands economy it is timely to consider-is the nation prepared for a large scale mining industry? The environmental, economic and social track record of other natural resource extraction activities in the country has been poor. However the scale of investment in mining projects provides the potential for significant economic development and for management and mitigation of environmental impacts. To date, examples within the region provide an indication of the potential for environmental damage and social impact that can result from poorly managed and regulated mining developments. Drawing on these lessons can assist the Solomon Islands to provide a strong foundation for the development of a mineral industry. However access to this information by the remote rural communities likely to be impacted by mineral developments is difficult. Simon recently produced a documentary targeted at these rural communities that captures stories and lessons from communities, companies and governments engaged with mining activities in Melanesia. 

 

Presenter:

Dr Simon Albert, Research Fellow, UQ School of Civil Engineering.

About The Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law and UQ Solomon Island Partnership Seminar

Legal systems of former colonies are often burdened with a legacy of transplanted laws, developed for use in a foreign country. Today, Solomon Islands is struggling with a plural legal system and seeking to balance the demands of law from different sources, designed to operate in fundamentally different contexts. This seminar will examine the legal systems of Solomon Islands and the tensions between the different laws in force. It will discuss the court system and, more specifically, how the system has dealt with the aftermath of the tensions 2000-10. It will also touch on issues within the legal profession.

Venue

1-W341, Forgan Smith Building
Room: 
Sir Samuel Griffith Room