JOSAIA RALAGO, Labasa

A $1.8million pay-off has been deposited to the iTaukei Land Trust Board by the Auroum Exploration Limited for bauxite mining in Wainunu, Bua,  which will begin soon.

This was confirmed by the TLTB Deputy General Solomone Nata saying that they had received the said amount with excavation works  to begin soon.

Mr Nata said while a portion would be given out, the rest would be kept as investment for Mataqali Vunivuvudi of Nadua village who are the landowners.

Tui Wainunu Ratu Orisi Baleitavea said the company had held meetings with the people to which they have given their full support.

“This venture would greatly supplement their livelihood because most of them rely heavily on farming for daily sustenance,” Ratu Orisi said.

“The company has also held environment awareness meetings with the people showing them the mining procedures and its effect on the environment.

“This was also a chance for them to raise queries on how environmentally friendly their processes were.”

Turaga ni Mataqali Vunivuvudi Inosi Masivava said they were taken to past excavation sites like the one in Nawailevu, Bua, during the course of the awareness programme.

“The land that has been allocated for mining was always left idle because of the poor soil quality,” Mr Masivava said.

“We have met with them a few times and so far we are happy with their procedures.

“This will also boost our living standards here in Nadua.”

Mr Masivava said that to his understanding, there were only 26 members of the mataqali

Mr Nata said that TLTB will also be meeting with the landowners to discuss about the project soon.

Edited BY: KATHRIN KRISHNA

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