I am concerned about the recent decision to grant Pheonix International a mining license on Guadalcanal. It is important that companies that are issued such license are not only experienced in the mining sector but are financially sound. If these criteria are not taken into consideration, the decision to grant licenses to such companies will return to haunt the government in the future.

I suggest that the Prime Minister take a long hard look at this case to avoid an embarrassing situation in the future. The mining industry is far too important for the future of our country to be dealt with willy nilly.