No quota has been set on the amount of ore that can be extracted by any mining company says Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Mereseini Vuniwaqa.

She was responding to an oral question raised by Opposition member Mosese Bulitavu on the approved quantity of bauxite ore, which Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Ltd was allowed to extract, its anticipated dollar value and the progress of payments to landowners for its extraction.

Minister Vuniwaqa said: “I do not know of any other jurisdiction that imposes a quota on the extraction of ore. On the total anticipated dollar value for the bauxite ore, I can say for certain, that the cost per tonne of bauxite extracted is US$80 per tonne.”

She further stated that there was no firm conclusion on the study carried out regarding the real amount of extraction of bauxite that was done.

“Once that study is carried out properly the company and Government will be looking at their records that was compiled throughout the extraction to determine the amount, it is then we will determine for certain.”

Money is being held in a trust fund and a widepsread consultation will be undertaken before a formulka is derived to determine what a fare share is to distribute to landowners.

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