Landowners speak out against mining company

Villagers backing a recent petition opposing the dredging and prospecting activities of a mining company in Nadroga-Navosa are optimistic about a positive outcome, despite fears that the damage done may be irreversible. 

Adi Lanieta Burasia, founder of the Jubaniwai Conservation Foundation from Vunavutu village, said landowners from the Nasigatoka district were led to believe that dredging was being done by Magma Mines Ltd to reduce flooding in the area, but that was not the case. She said it became clear that it was for exploration purposes. 

The petition, which called for the complete and permanent removal of issuing a special prospective license to Magma Mines Ltd, a subsidiary of Dome Gold Mines Ltd, was handed by members of the Jubaniwai Yaucola Committee to Cabinet Ministers and Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu at Parliament last week. The group also visited the Office of the Prime Minister.  

They alleged that Magma Mines Ltd had used dredging to "initiate cause to apply for an exploration tenure", granted by the Department of Mineral Resources. The result, they said, was significant damage to biodiversity and vegetation in and around the Sigatoka River, as well as risks to ancestral lands, surrounding villages, and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes.

Ms Burasia clarified that the issue was not "mining" per se, but the urgent need to preserve the natural environment that had suffered due to dredging. 

"The Sigatoka River is so shallow now. From the mouth, you can walk from this side of the river to that side. That never used to happen before," she added.

"The damage to the river is huge."

Virisine Laca Nalewe, also from Vunavutu village, said she firmly supported the campaign to have Magma Mines Ltd removed, citing the risks their operations posed to the local way of life. 

"We do not approve of them coming to anything with our river because it's the main resource for most villagers here," she explained.

"I have never seen the advantage of dredging."  

Ms Burasia is confident the petition will stand.

"We are saying no to mining," she said.

"We want to protect our environment; what God has given to us to look after."

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