Since 2012, the Vanua o Votua had often challenged and questioned when they would receive royalty from the Qoliqoli (fishing ground) they had given up for mining.

Questions from Akuila Saukuru’s late grandfather and others to the powers that be were futile at the time.

But an event yesterday put Mr Saukuru’s and other landowners’ minds at ease after the yavusas (tribes) under the vanua (land) received their first payout.

The Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Jone Usamate together with the mining company representative, Amex Resources Limited, made the official payout in Votua Village in Ba.

Amex Resources Limited was granted a 21-year mining lease in 2012 to extract iron sands from the Ba River delta, under which the Vanua o Votua own.

The three tribes which received payout (and breakdown) under Vanua o Votua are:
–  Yavusa Yavusabalavu – $188,563.20

–  Yavusa Nadua – $76,860.00

–  Yavusa Narai – $59,950.80

Mr Saukuru, a spokesperson for the three tribes, said it was a long time coming but was worth it.

Three years ago, the landowners once again began lobbying the royalty and yesterday’s event was a testament to that.

“Today is our lucky day,” Mr Saukuru, 55, said.

“My (late) grandfather and the other landowners were waiting for this moment to get their fair share of the royalty,” Mr Saukuru said.

“Want to thank the Government for this timely payout.”

The payout was enabled through the Bainimarama Government’s Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Act 2018.

The act outlines that 80 per cent of the royalty will be given to the landowners and the remainder to the state.

Mr Saukuru said five per cent from the total proceeds that the Yavusa Yavusabalavu received would be reinvested into a financial institution for their future generation.

The remainder will be equally distributed to the eight tokatoka (clan) and also towards education and other community projects.

Mr Saukuru believes that reinvesting the money would ensure financial stability of their future generation and urged other landowners to do the same.

Mr Usamate said: “On behalf of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, it is an honour and a great pleasure for me to officiate at this- the first mineral royalty payout for the Vanua of Votua, the fishing right owners of the Qoliqoli (fishing ground) where mining of iron magnetite is currently taking place.”

“In the last two years, I have been fortunate to have visited the mining site at the Ba river mouth and I wish to convey my sincere gratitude to the vanua for graciously giving the consent which allows this development to take place.”

“The mine has not only provided employment but also generated benefits such as the royalty payout that is happening today.

Usamate Explains Delay
“I was told that there was a long delay before approval was granted to have this mineral payout.

“This is due to numerous verification exercises through respective government stakeholders and seeking advices from Qoliqoli administrator (iTaukei land and Fisheries commission and iTaukei Affairs Board) before a submission for mineral payout could be made.”

“It is imperative that the Vanua of Votua (three Yavusas) sustainably manage these funds and utilize it wisely.”

“In saying this, upon prior advises from iTaukei Affairs Board and the Department of Mineral Resources, development plans should be in place before receiving this royaltyfund.”

Amex Resources
Amex Resources Limited General manager Alivereti Tuidravuni said the payout was a significant one.

“The royalty payment of the six  shipments of iron sand to the Vanua  of Votua by the Ministry of  Lands and Mineral Resources is  very significant, it will strengthen the good relationship that has been  forged between Amex and the Vanua,  since the commencement of  the project in 2008.

“This is the first royalty payout to the Vanua of Votua, as required by the relevant legislation, royalty of minerals is paid to the Mineral Resources Department prior to the exportation of minerals, Mineral Resources Department will only issue to “Export Permit” for the minerals to be exported upon the payment of royalty by the mining company to the Department.

“For this reason royalty will continued to be paid as long as Amex continues to ship iron sand to overseas markets.”

Mr Tuidravuni added that Amex Iron sand mining had minimal environment footprint.

“The company’s strict compliance to the conditions of the EIA and OEMP for the project has paid dividends by having no environment incidents for since the commencement of mining operation in May 2019,” he said.

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