The Namosi Joint Venture says it is still some time away from concluding its comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment for the proposed Namosi Mine.

Country manager, Greg Morris, confirmed this yesterday giving an update of the Waisoi project which is in its prefeasibility stage.

Mr Morris said the assessment conclusion was taking longer given it was quite a comprehensive report.

The company aims to take into account in its assessment what risks may arise from mining and how these could to mitigated or avoided so the communities do not get affected.

“The objective is for us to develop a thorough understanding of the existing environmental, social and cultural environmental,” he said.

“Also what the potential impact will be from the development and how we can either avoid or mitigate those risks.”

Mr Morris said they have been undertaking extensive consultations with all its stakeholders.

He said they will continue to do that particularly with local communities so they understand what is happening and what to expect.

Assessment compilation

Once the comprehensive assessment is compiled, the report will be handed over to the Government as well as available for the general public for scrutiny.

Mr Morris said the people would be able to go through and comment on the report so that they are able to make informed decision about the project.

The Namosi Mine came under the spotlight by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama on Monday as he launched the Green Growth Framework for Fiji.

Mr Bainimarama said Government is yet to be satisfied that the necessary environmental protections can be met.

Mr Morris has meanwhile stressed they are looking forward to developing their project within the Green Growth Framework.

The company currently employs 25 full-time employees – majority of whom are locals. International experts are brought from time-to-time when there is a need, Mr Morris said.

Some background

Baseline study for the Waisoi Project began in 2008. The area is believed to have large reserves of copper and gold.

Mr Morris said during this time, they looked to characterise what the existing environment was like.

They then moved on to the environmental impact assessment stage.

This is when the Namosi Joint Venture is looking at the project design, environmental risks it poses and how to avoid or mitigate the risks.

The Waisoi Project is currently in exploration and prefeasibility stage which involves drilling, technical studies, community consultation and stakeholder engagement.

The company has stressed mining will not commence at Waisoi unless the Government approves a mine to be built and issues a mining lease.

Following this, the Namosi Joint Venture would then decide is the mine can be developed and operated economically and at an appropriate environmental, social and safety standard.

The company has been constantly hit with roadblocks by either the community in the greater Namosi area or the non-government organisations and environmental groups.

It has had to overcome these hurdles in a bid to progress with the assessment it has carried out.

While no confirmations could be received on the amount invested till date, it is understood to be in millions.

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