Landowners of Gold Ridge in Central Guadalcanal are calling on the government to pay them about one million dollars in outstanding royalties following four shipments of gold from their land.

One of the principal landowners of Gold Ridge Dick Douglas says that landowners are becoming frustrated because of the delay in the payment of the royalties. "It should be 14 days after the company pays the money to the government," said Mr Douglas.

Mr Douglas says the outstanding royalties is about one million dollars adding that the payment is long overdue.

He says the last royalty payment the landowners received was in March this year.

Mr Douglas calls on the government to pay the outstanding royalties saying that further delay may result in landowners demanding a review of payment arrangements.

Attempts to get comments from the Ministry of Finance was unsuccessful. Although those familiar with the process says that such large payments will take time.