AXIOM KB AND SUMITOMO COURT BATTLE FINALLY ENDS
The Solomon Islands High Court. Photo credit: SIBC.
The major Court battle between Axiom KB of Australia against Japanese mining firm Sumitomo Limited has finally concluded this morning at the High Court after almost nine months of trial.
The Court will deliver its judgement at a later date.
The trial began around October last year.
Sumitomo took Axiom, the Solomon Islands government, and seven landowners from the proposed nickel area in Isabel to Court.
This followed the cancellation of a preliminary Letter of Intent for nickel prospecting in Isabel Province in 2010 by the former Minister of Mines and Energy Mark Kemakeza.
He instead awarded the licence to Axiom.
Sumitomo claimed Axiom followed improper processes to obtain its licence and register in Solomon Islands.