[3] These surveys continued over the next 30 years, before modern exploration of the area subsequently started during 1983, after Amoco had successfully tendered for the rights to mine it.
[1] In 1983 Amoco won a tender for Gold Ridge SPL 130, situated around 40 km (25 mi) from the capital of the Solomons, Honiara.
[1][3] As a result of the abandonment a political risk insurer subsequently paid Delta Gold and took ownership of the project.
[4] During September 2004 the insurance company put the project out to tender with the support of the Solomon Islands Government and Gold Ridge Community.
[citation needed] In April 2014, St Barbara shut down the Gold Ridge mine following flash floods.
[7] In May 2015 Gold Ridge was sold by St Barbara for A$100 to a landowner-controlled company, GoldRidge Community Investment Limited (GCIL), in a deal which included all legal and rehabilitation liability.
In April 2016 GCIL was accused of allowing toxic spill to occur, which it denied, saying that the recently released water had "only low concentrations of hazardous chemicals".
[12] As of 2012, there were four main pits at Gold Ridge: Namachamata, Valehaichichi, Kupers, and Dawson, stretching about 5 km2 (1.9 sq mi) over a fault line.
GRML is committed to ensuring that landowners and communities realise benefits from mine, and donates money towards schools and other social infrastructure in the area.
[12] GRML has said that it is committed to corporate responsibility and increased operational and environmental transparency, ensuring better communications than previously and allowing community participation in decisions about the mine.