Government launches investigation into serious Vatukoula mine injury

The Government has launched a formal investigation into a serious workplace injury at Vatukoula Gold Mine, placing worker safety under national scrutiny.

Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations Agni Deo Singh confirmed his ministry was actively monitoring the case of a male worker who was injured while working underground at the mine.

“The ministry is aware of the incident and the employer has assured us the worker is being paid his two-thirds wages as required by law,” Mr Singh said.

“We will continue to monitor this closely and wait for the final medical report before we take the next step.”

Mr Singh said mining remained a high-risk industry and stressed that worker safety was non-negotiable.

“We put particular emphasis on the health and safety of workers at all workplaces,” he said.

“Our legislation has been updated, and inspections are now categorised into high, medium and low risk, with high-risk workplaces inspected more often.”

He said enforcement also included direct oversight.

“I have personally visited Vatukoula Gold Mine, gone underground, and spent about six hours touring the tunnels,” Mr Singh said.

“We met with management, raised concerns, and we expect those to be addressed.”

Vatukoula Gold Mine timberman Amitesh Ram, 38, sustained injuries to his leg on November 13 while working underground at the Smith Shaft.

Mr Ram was initially taken to the mine’s rescue department before being transferred to the emergency ward at Tavua Hospital.

He was admitted for one day, where doctors confirmed he had suffered a broken and fractured leg, before being transferred to Lautoka Hospital for further treatment.

According to his family, his condition deteriorated while he was hospitalised.

“While he was admitted to the hospital, he went into a coma. He started having seizures,” his brother, Rimon Ram, said.

“When he woke up, he lost the ability to speak and move his body.”

Mr Ram was discharged on January 7 and remains bedridden.

“Currently, he can only open his eyes. We are not sure if he understands us or not,” Mr Ram said.

Mr Singh confirmed that a joint investigation is now under way between the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Mineral Resources.