Gold Ridge Mine Disaster: Police say they’ve recovered the first body after a landslide at the Chinese-owned Gold Ridge gold mine near Honiara, with search and recovery continuing and officials warning it’s too early to confirm how many people remain buried. Reports point to informal gold prospectors, with families joining the search as machinery clears rubble. Mining Reform Push: Prime Minister Matthew Wale says the government is moving ahead with a sweeping mineral sector overhaul, including amendments to the Mineral Resources Bill and plans for a sovereign wealth fund to secure long-term benefits for communities and resource owners. UXO Clearance Funding: Wale also announced an extra US$6m (SBD$50m) from the United States for unexploded ordnance clearance, with a signed release to speed up hiring and contractor engagement, especially across Guadalcanal. Infrastructure Safety Training: Australia-backed workshops are strengthening contractor and government capacity on environmental and disaster-resilient infrastructure delivery, using recent cyclone lessons to improve safeguards. Bina Harbour Next Step: A US assessment team is expected to visit by end of August to help move Malaita’s Bina Harbour Industrial Development Project from concept to development-ready status, including key port and supporting infrastructure. Rural Trade & Roads: Ghumu community celebrated a new China co-funded footpath to improve access to schools, clinics and markets, while Malaita road upgrade consultations continue. Energy & Jobs: Australia and Keto Seaweed Farm in Isabel Province plan to expand seaweed production with storage, equipment, a boat/engine and improved staff accommodation. Economy Snapshot: CBSI reports June saw improved revenue collection and reduced spending, lifting the month’s operating surplus and showing mixed production trends across export commodities. Transport Reliability: Pelican 3’s maiden voyage was briefly disrupted by a technical fault, with passengers transferred safely and the vessel returning for inspection before re-entering service.