The Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE) works with regulators such as the Mines and Minerals Board and the Petroleum Advisory Board to regulate the activities of companies and individuals involved in the exploration and extraction of minerals and petroleum in the Solomon Islands.
The Mines and Minerals Board and the Petroleum Advisory Board are statutory boards established by Acts of Parliament and they carry out their regulatory roles through the issuing of licenses for mineral rights and petroleum prospecting and development. The Boards also play a role in enforcing compliance with conditions and standards specified by respective Acts and Regulations and with international industry standards.
The Minister for Mines is also responsible, under the respective Acts, for making regulations for the Acts and for setting general policy directions for the regulatory boards’ areas of responsibility.