This Blog is a central collection point for information in regards to the Bauxite Mining in Vanua Levu. Over the coming weeks and years, we hope to collect and present information specifically on the extraction of Bauxite from Vanua Levu. We will also like to document the progress and issues relating to the Mataqalis who have sacrificed their land for the greater good of Fiji.
The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources continued issuing land lease documents today as government progresses plans for bauxite mining in Bua.
Bauxite mining to start in AprilThe Acting Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Mr Filimone Kau today confirmed that the bauxite mining at Nawailevu in Bua will begin in April this year.
He said the Ministry and the Land Use Unit is now awaiting the legal vetting of the regulations that will kick start mining in Bua.
Mr Kau made the comments in a joint meeting yesterday afternoon held at the Commissioner Northern Office between the Ministry, Comm. Northern and representative from Aurum Explorations.
"The regulations will have to be endorsed by Cabinet in a few weeks time then the surface lease can be issued. One month after being issued with the surface lease, then the mining lease will be issued- so we are looking at by the end of April, the bauxite mining is expected to kick start the northern economy," Mr Kau said.
He said that Government has an overarching responsibility to strike the right balance between the needs of landowners and the tenants or investors.
“It is our responsibility to safeguard both landowners and tenants/investors alike,” he said.
In that regard a consultation will be held this Wednesday between the Ministry and the landowning units to finalize the name of the trustees and what the communities should expect once the mining begins.
Aurum Explorations is also looking forward to start work on the site and are eagerly waiting for the regulation to be endorsed by Cabinet. As part of the lease offer- land owners will be given first preference on unskilled and skilled employment provided they meet the criteria.
Bauxite mining at Nawailevu in Bua is expected to start by March according to the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources.
To start if off here are a few Press Releases.
Mataqali Nalutu receives payment for bauxite lease
At Lovonidalo settlement in the district of Navakasiga, minister Netani Sukanaivalu presented another set of lease documents to Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Limited which will allow for the construction of a wharf.
The 60 acres of land which belongs to the Mataqali Nalutu will be used to construct a 800 meter wharf where bauxite ores will be shipped directly to melting plants in China for processing.
Mr Sukanaivalu issued both a surface and foreshore lease to company official Basilio Vanuaca in the presence of themataqali Nalutu.
Also present at the handing over ceremony this morning were ministry officials, acting permanent secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimone Kau and Commissioner Northern Lt Colonel Inia Seruiratu.
Lt Col Seruiratu also handed over a cheque of $101,930.00 as premium and lease payment to the mataqali Nalutu. Another cheque of $275,000 was presented to the vanua Navakasiga and vanua Lekutu as compensation for the loss of fishing rights at Galoa Bay, the proposed construction site for the new wharf.
Under the Land Use decree and Land Use Regulations, government as administrators of these lands will now set up three separate trust accounts for the vanua Navakasiga , vanua Lekutu and the mataqali Nalutu.
The composition of these trust accounts will be finalised by the Prime Minister after receiving nominations from villagers. The Commissioner Northern will be one of the trustees who will play an advisory role for the landowners under the arrangement.
Apart from the income earned from lease and premium payments, other direct benefits include improved infrastructure and better access to health services and education for this rural community.
Bauxite mining works is expected to start in April with the issue of a mining lease to the company.
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Bauxite mining to start in AprilThe Acting Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Mr Filimone Kau today confirmed that the bauxite mining at Nawailevu in Bua will begin in April this year.
He said the Ministry and the Land Use Unit is now awaiting the legal vetting of the regulations that will kick start mining in Bua.
Mr Kau made the comments in a joint meeting yesterday afternoon held at the Commissioner Northern Office between the Ministry, Comm. Northern and representative from Aurum Explorations.
"The regulations will have to be endorsed by Cabinet in a few weeks time then the surface lease can be issued. One month after being issued with the surface lease, then the mining lease will be issued- so we are looking at by the end of April, the bauxite mining is expected to kick start the northern economy," Mr Kau said.
He said that Government has an overarching responsibility to strike the right balance between the needs of landowners and the tenants or investors.
“It is our responsibility to safeguard both landowners and tenants/investors alike,” he said.
In that regard a consultation will be held this Wednesday between the Ministry and the landowning units to finalize the name of the trustees and what the communities should expect once the mining begins.
Aurum Explorations is also looking forward to start work on the site and are eagerly waiting for the regulation to be endorsed by Cabinet. As part of the lease offer- land owners will be given first preference on unskilled and skilled employment provided they meet the criteria.
Bauxite Mining to start by March
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama designated to the Land Bank the first parcel of native land earmarked for bauxite mining in the area.
This has started a chain of processes that will allow the Director of Lands to issue a surface lease to mine investors Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Limited next week.
A mining lease is expected to be issued in March.
The director’s powers are stipulated in the Land Use Decree of 2010.
Acting Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Mr Filimone Kau said the surface lease will give Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Ltd access and exclusive possession to the land.
“They cannot mine but they can start some preliminary work like building a campsite etc access, bridges, and infrastructure,” he said.
“They can only mine after being issued with a mining lease which will be around March this year,” Mr Kau added.
In addition, all these lands are also free from all encumbrances including Fiji Pine partially surrendering its lease and the reverting of legal rights over land to native landowners from the Mataqali Nalutu, Mataqali Noro and Mataqali Naicobo.
The site proposed for mining was previously leased by Fiji Pine Limited and covered under pine trees.
Aurum Exploration Fiji (Ltd) paid Fiji Pine $1m for the partial surrender of their lease and subsequent large scale harvest of pine trees to allow for mining works.
“This is a good beginning for the Ministry in facilitating investment for the betterment of the nation as a whole,” Mr Kau said.
Government’s land reform initiative was borne out of Pillar 6 of the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress and is meant to address all critical issues pertaining to land which will provide the platform for the nation to progress economically and socially.
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