Namosi: Finding the Way Ahead

Mention Namosi mining to those in the know and you will likely get one of two reactions.

Proponents will see it as an economy game changer, boosting the province and country and creating thousands of jobs.

Opponents, mainly environmental activists and some landowners, see the proposed open pit copper mine, its tailings and all its infrastructure as environmental destruction.

Now a key mining official has updated us on what is happening with the potentially massive project.

Key point: Acting director for Mineral Resources Raymond Mohammed said Namosi development will only start if feasibility studies show results supporting sustainable mining.

This is as required by Government’s five to 20 years National Development Plan, he said.

Mr Mohammed added that Namosi Joint Venture (NJV) needs to prove that any mining proposal would be economical whilst meeting acceptable safety, environmental and social standards.

Exploration for mainly copper and gold has been ongoing in the Namosi mountains for about 50 years.

Indications have been positive, more so now with the demand for mineral resources.

The Namosi Joint Venture conducting studies and exploration under a Special Prospecting Licence.

Namosi Joint Venture

In 2008, the Namosi Joint Venture began exploring under a Special Prospecting Licence.

This potentially impacts not just Namosi but parts of the neighbouring provinces of Rewa, Naitasiri, and Serua.

The joint venture’s exploration licence was recently renewed and expires in 2023.

Namosi Joint Venture is a partnership between well established Australian miner Newcrest and Japan’s Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Nittetsu Mining Company Limited.

Newcrest is the partner leading the development.

Mr Mohammed said Namosi Joint Venture is now undertaking further assessments to improve the mining processes as part of the project feasibility studies.

He revealed: “This includes further studies on the current ore body and the possibility to reduce the footprint area which means reducing surface area disturbance, tailings management and infrastructures.”

Over the course of the current pandemic, there has been no real work done in Namosi.

The Namosi Joint Venture is fully focused on progressing the project feasibility studies.

Mr Mohammed said the department will recommence consultation with landowners given the recent lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

“NJV is also duty bound, as the holder of the exploration licence for Namosi, to carry out landowner awareness programmes on the project.”

Namosi Joint Venture country head Netava Bakaniceva said at the moment they are still concentrating on further studies and innovation to improve the proposed mining process.

He said they have another 12 months to complete the feasibility studies.

“If we are to go into mining then we have to be in line with the Government’s vision which is sustainable mining."

“If we can’t carry that out then we will never carry out the project,” Mr Bakaniceva said.

When questioned on the proposed mining’s energy supply, Mr Bakaniceva said it was also a part of the discussion and studies that they were doing.

Awareness And Response From The Community:

Mr Bakaniceva said there are always two sides in a community, for and against.

“All we have to do is furnish them with correct information,” he said.

Before the COVID-19 lockdown, NJV had been providing updates on the progress of the project to the community every month. This will recommence soon.

Mr Bakaniceva did not say this: But lurking in the background is always the threat of Namosi becoming a potentially explosive political issue under the guise of indigenous landowner rights.

Namosi Hydro Dam Project

iTaukei Land Trust Board executive Solomone Nata said the mini-hydro project involving three plants to be built in Namosi has been leased out by Energy Fiji Limited (EFL).

When questioned on the implementation of the project, EFL said it involves a series of processes and studies before it is finally implemented.

However, it stated that over the years, EFL have been constantly exploring and carrying out feasibility studies in potential renewable energy generation.

They have also been in discussions with prospective Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in being part of Fiji’s renewable energy sector.

EFL aims to attract IPPs who are able to provide cost effective sustainable, uninterruptible, renewable energy solutions into the EFL’s grid.

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj