The long due and much-awaited Amex Resources Ironsand mining project is expected to begin in the next six to 12 months.

The company is the process of setting up its operation and bringing in its equipment.

This was confirmed by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Faiyaz Koya, after a meeting with the Amex team last week.

Mr Koya said the project would be a big earner for Fiji as well as a source of employment for many.

Amex was awarded a Special Mining Lease in 2012 to mine magnetite sand deposits from within the Ba delta region, the Mba Delta Ironsand projects.

Works also include the transit base at the Nailaga Dredge Depot.

Mr Koya said Amex was able to secure its licence and was given the green light to move ahead with the project, after full investigations and environment assessment by the Mineral Resources Department.

He said the department ensured that the project was conducted in a sustainable manner and that things were done the right way.

Mr Koya added not only would the resource owners benefit out of the project, it would be a major source of employment as well.

“It is a good project and it will be a good source of employment and revenue for Fiji,” he said.

“Groundwork has been done already they are in process of getting their equipment which will take a bit of time.

Project

Amex will produce magnetite concentrate from its 220 million tonne Ironsand resource at the Mba Delta over a 20-year mine-life.

This will be by dredge operation and magnetic separation on the adjacent floating process plant. The product will be transported daily by barge to Amex’s nearby Lautoka port site.

The site will comprise an unloading facility, washing plant to remove sea salt, enclosed stockpile shed, ship loading infrastructure, a dedicated export berth for vessels of about 60,000 tonnes capacity, workshops and offices.

Last year, the Lautoka company was conducting works in preparation for dredging required to deepen the berth and access channel at Amex’s Lautoka port site.

A US$76.3 million (F$150.9m) International Federation of Consulting Engineers contract for design, procurement and construction of the Mba Delta marine operations fleet and Lautoka port facilities had been signed.

Edited by: Ivamere Nataro