At least 10 people are feared dead after Gold Ridge mine collapse in the Solomon Islands

At least 10 people are feared dead after a landslide at Solomon Islands' Gold Ridge mine.

Authorities are continuing a major search and recovery operation at the site.

The collapse happened at Open Pit 1 on Guadalcanal in the early hours of Monday with the National Disaster Management Office and hospital officials confirming fatalities from the disaster.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force officers and emergency crews are at the mine, working alongside heavy machinery as they search through collapsed rock and earth for anyone who may still be trapped.

Police have not confirmed the final death toll, saying search and recovery efforts are continuing.

An eyewitness, who spoke with In-Depth Solomons, said excavators were still clearing the area after the collapse.

"As I speak, excavators are still clearing the area in search of others who may still be trapped beneath the collapsed earth," the eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said.

The victims are believed to be informal gold panners who entered the mine pits in search of gold and were not employees of Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), which operates the mine.

The company has issued a preliminary statement confirming a "localised slope movement" occurred at the north-west edge of Open Pit 1.

Gold Ridge Mining Limited officials with former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. The company says a "localised slope movement" occurred at the north-west edge of Open Pit 1 and has activated emergency procedures while technical teams assess the stability of the site. Photo/Supplied

The company said restricted access and exclusion zones had already been placed around the area and confirmed there were no reported employee injuries, fatalities or equipment damage.

GRML said emergency procedures had been activated with all non-operational and external personnel prevented from entering the site while technical teams assess the stability of the area.

The disaster has renewed concerns about the risks faced by informal miners who enter active mining areas in search of gold.

Local paramount Chief Walton Naezon has issued an urgent appeal calling on informal and unauthorised gold panners to leave the mine pits immediately.

Naezon warned that unregulated activity in active pits puts lives at serious risk and could affect planned expansion work at the site.

The Gold Ridge mine has previously recorded fatal incidents involving people searching for gold outside official mining operations.

Paramount Chief Walton Naezon has urged informal and unauthorised gold panners to leave the Gold Ridge mine pits, warning that entering active mining areas puts lives at serious risk. Photo/In-Depth Solomons

In August 2025, two men were killed at Pit 3 after a large rock was reportedly dislodged during mining activity and rolled onto them. The victims were also reported not to have been employees of Gold Ridge Mining Limited.

In November 2023, police investigated the death of a 40-year-old man following an accident at Pit 1.

The mine has also faced wider community tensions. In January 2026, more than 30 pieces of heavy machinery were burned during unrest linked to a landowner dispute, prompting a major police response.

Gold Ridge Mining Limited holds the mining and exploration licences for the project on Guadalcanal. The company is 70 per cent owned by Hong Kong-based Wanguo International Mining Group, 20 per cent by Australia's AXF Resources, and 10 per cent by Gold Ridge Community Investment Limited, which represents local landowners.

The latest tragedy has placed renewed focus on safety around one of Solomon Islands' most significant mining projects and the dangers faced by people entering active mine areas in search of gold.