An environmental management plan (EMP) is expected to be presented by the Mineral Resources Department over prospecting plans for Namosi.

The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources’ comments follow claims of registered complaints by mataqali members.

The ministry said it was still waiting for an objection letter from the mataqali Nabukebuke, Namosi.

Some reports claimed the mataqali had registered its objections against the renewal of a special prospecting licence (SPL) for Namosi Joint Venture.

The Namosi Joint Venture comprises Newcrest Mining, Mitsubishi Minerals and Nittetsu Mining, which has had the prospecting licence since 2010.

“The landowners do not own rights to the special prospecting licence,” the ministry said in a media statement.

“Exploration rights remain with the licensee, in this case the Namosi Joint Venture.”

Under the Mining Act, landowner’s consent is not a requirement for issuing or renewing license for prospecting, the ministry said.

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It said a joint consultation was carried out with members of the mataqali of Nabukebuke, Namosi Provincial office, Namosi Joint Venture and the ministry.

“This is because there is no change in land ownership as an exploration licence only grants mineral exploration rights to the licensee,” the ministry said.

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