Landowners Strongly Object Exploration Licence Renewal

Strong opposition from Namosi landowners has cast serious doubt over the renewal of the Special Prospecting Licence (SPL) held by the Namosi Joint Venture, which permits mineral exploration in the province.

A packed hall in Namosi Village yesterday heard impassioned calls from landowners of the mataqali Nabukebuke, who categorically rejected the continuation of exploration activities on their land.

The exploration licence expired in 2023.

The exploration of minerals in Namosi has been ongoing for 50 years by different foreign companies.

Despite the change of hands over the years, mining experts agree on one thing – Namosi is a pot of gold.

Historical hurts 

Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo, who attended the meeting, acknowledged the deep-seated historical grievances shared by the community.

“There has been a lot of historical hurts,” Mr Vosarogo said.

“They’re able to articulate those historical hurts that they had in the past, but also we wanted to emphasise on the way forward.

“I invited a few of them to come and have a meeting with me at the office next week, and then we see how it proceeds.”

Former chairman of the Tikina Namosi Landowners Committee, Josefa Tauleka, voiced the community’s longstanding frustration.

“We have seen the damage, destruction done by the exploration. For years we have seen that. There has been about 100-plus drill sites in the past 50 years.”

Mr Tauleka said the landowners committee was formed in 2010 after what he described as poor oversight by the Ministry of Mineral Resources.

“The committee was formed because MRD did not do a good job monitoring these drill sites and the devastation and damages it was doing here in Namosi. We stood in to monitor. There were spills in the rivers and just destruction everywhere.”

He also recalled meetings with the Australian High Commission more than a decade ago.

“They needed our greenlight for the exploration and mining. Today, Minister, we are still talking about exploration, but we have reached the mining conversation and we know where this is heading. We will kindly decline any thinking to explore or mine.”

The message was echoed by Tadeo Camaitoga of Nasigatoka Village, who said: “This SPL is getting destruction and nothing more. That is why we have decided that we will not renew the licence. So, please, we object, we object to it collectively.”

Regaining trust 

In response to questions about the next steps, Mr Vosarogo acknowledged the legal authority vested in his role, but stressed the need for a new approach.

“The statutory power to grant or not to grant an SPL lies with the minister. I think that’s how it is being exercised in the past. We now live in an age where landowners are quite cognizant of their rights to their land, resources. I think that there is a mandatory need for shift on how Government approaches the issue of SPL.”

He emphasised the importance of trust and listening to the voices of landowners.

“Usually when you come and ask in the beginning, they offer you trust. That trust begins to be eroded.

“You’re going to have to reassure them and climb a bigger hill when you’re attempting to re-engage with them.”

Despite anticipating a difficult meeting, Mr Vosarogo said he was encouraged by the outcome.

“Look, I lived under no illusion about how tough this meeting will be. I’ve prepared myself for days, prayed for it, to make sure that it gets to an end like we did today. In the end, quite comfortable where we arrived now and what the future (holds).”

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