Gold Ridge Mine landslide kills at least 10 in Solomon Islands
A landslide struck the open‑pit Gold Ridge Mine in the Solomon Islands on 27 July 2024, about 25 km southeast of the capital Honiara. The Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office confirmed the incident and the Royal Solomon Islands Police declined to comment on the death toll. Local reports indicated ten bodies were recovered, and the National Reference Hospital in Honiara prepared to receive victims.
Gold Ridge Mining Limited said no injuries, fatalities or equipment damage had been confirmed, while mining and construction activities continued. The mine is majority‑owned by Chinese company Wanguo International Mining and contributes roughly one‑quarter of the Solomon Islands’ GDP. Prime Minister Matthew Wale has announced broad reforms to increase revenue from the mining sector.
The incident has drawn attention to the economic importance of the mine and the government's push for greater benefit from foreign‑owned resources.
Entities: Gold Ridge Mine · Gold Ridge Mining · Gold Ridge Mining Limited · Honiara · Mathiu Gouel · Matthew Wale · National Reference Hospital · Solomon Islands · Wanguo International Mining
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Wanguo International Mining holds the majority share of Gold Ridge Mining. (company ownership records)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Gold Ridge Mining Limited said no injuries, fatalities or equipment damage had been confirmed after the incident. (company press release)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Gold Ridge Mine contributes roughly one quarter of the Solomon Islands' gross domestic product. (company data)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Prime Minister Matthew Wale announced reforms to increase revenue from the mining sector. (government announcement)
- [● 5 SOURCES] At least ten people were found dead in the landslide at Gold Ridge Mine. (local newspaper In‑depth Solomons)
- [● 5 SOURCES] A landslide occurred at the Gold Ridge Mine in the Solomon Islands on 27 July 2024. (solomon islands disaster management office)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Gold Ridge Mine is located about 25 kilometres southeast of Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The National Reference Hospital in Honiara prepared to receive victims of the landslide. (hospital statement)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Royal Solomon Islands Police declined to comment on the death toll. (police statement)