AN investigation into 33bauxite shipments from Rennell Island has uncovered years of missing, incomplete and unaccounted-for government records.
Asia Pacific Investment Development Ltd (APID) and Bintan Mining SI Ltd (BMSI) exported the shipments.
According to an update from the Attorney General’s Chambers, consignment permit records for 2019, 2020 and 2021 are either missing or incomplete, despite exports continuing during those years.
The investigation also found that unpaid royalties relate to 33 shipments made between 2019 and 2020, rather than the period from 2017 to early 2019, as initially alleged.
About 11 consignment permits linked to the 33 shipments have been located so far.
However, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands has no record of payments by APID or BMSI for the 33 shipments between 2019 and 2020. This is despite the companies stating in correspondence to the Ministry of Mines that payments had been made.
Investigators have also been unable to locate a memorandum of understanding or supporting correspondence relating to the exports in government files.
No refinery certificates or assay reports have been found. This means there is no independently verifiable record of the quality, quantity or value of the bauxite shipped from the country.
Customs documentation is also incomplete, while further records remain unaccounted for.
The investigation found no legal advice or correspondence from the Attorney General’s Chambers at the time relating to the matter.
It also found that approvals or general authorities normally required from the Central Bank for the exports were not obtained by the Ministry or are not on file.
The Attorney General’s Chambers said investigators had found no written justification, directive or legal opinion explaining why permits continued to be issued.
“When officers who held office at the time were asked directly, not one could produce documentary evidence or a credible explanation,” the statement said. The investigation is continuing, with officials involved in the matter expected to be questioned.
