State Cautions Landowners Against ‘Eviction’ Efforts in Gold, Copper Exploration Project
The Mineral Resources Department (MRD) yesterday said it was legally impossible to evict Namosi Joint Venture because the operating licence was still valid. The resource owners could however register their objections when the licence expires on August 10, 2023, the department said.
Friday 31 December 2021 | 12:00
Namosi Joint Venture Waisoi exploration camp in the Namosi Highlands. Photo: From File.
Plans by a group of resource owners to evict operators of a gold and copper mineral exploration project may be in vain.
The Mineral Resources Department (MRD) yesterday said it was legally impossible to evict Namosi Joint Venture because the operating licence was still valid.
The resource owners could however register their objections when the licence expires on August 10, 2023, the department said.
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Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Jone Usamate, said a press release would be issued.
The ministry said it had yet to receive formal objections against plans to renew Namosi Joint Venture’s operating licence.
The comments follow claims by some mataqali members of Nabukebuke in Namosi Village that they would explore legal avenues of eviction.
Ratu Suliano Matanitobua
Under the Bainimarama Government the Fair Share Mineral Royalties Act 2018 was gazetted.
The objective of the Act is to give to effect to section 30 of the 2013 Constitution and to establish the process for the fair sharing of royalties for the extraction of minerals.
Under the Act, 20 per cent of the royalty goes to State and the remaining 80 per cent to the landowner.
Copper and gold exploration exercises continue in Namosi under the supervision and management of Newcrest. Namosi Joint Venture includes Newcrest (Fiji) Ltd, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, and Nittetsu Mining Co. Ltd.
Australian company Newcrest is the largest gold and copper mining company in Pacific region.
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