Landslide at Gold Ridge mine in Solomon Islands leaves ten people missing

A major landslide occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Gold Ridge open-pit gold mine, located approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Honiara in the Solomon Islands. While initial reports cited at least ten fatalities, police have officially stated that ten families have reported relatives missing, and the total number of victims remains unconfirmed as search and rescue operations continue.

The Gold Ridge facility is majority-owned by the Chinese firm Wanguo International Mining and contributes significantly to the local economy, reportedly accounting for nearly a quarter of the Solomon Islands' GDP. The landslide affected a section of the mine, and local police indicated that non-employees searching for gold on the site may be among those missing. Social media images show excavators working to clear debris and soil covering parts of the installation.

The incident remains under investigation, and recovery efforts are ongoing in the Tetere area. The mining company has asserted that the landslide occurred in a guarded sector of the facility, though the official human toll is yet to be established by the authorities.