Chinese Company Leased Native Land for Bauxite Mining

Fiji Live News -07 January 2011 

The first set of native lands to be deposited into the land bank has been leased to a Chinese company, Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced.

Bainimarama said the sets of land earmarked for Bauxite mining in Vanua Levu will go to Xinfa Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Ltd.

“These sets of land at Nawailevu and Natuvu in Bua are earmarked for Bauxite mining which will be undertaken by the Chinese investor, Aurum Explorations (Fiji) Ltd,” said Commodore Bainimarama.

He said the significance of the designation of the first set of these native lands is the utilisation of many idle lands.

“The significance of the activation of the Land Bank is that many of our idle lands could now be leased through the Land Use Decree 2010 and be made productive for the betterment of the landowners, investors and the country as a whole,” he added.

Also Acting Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimone Kau added the company can start preliminary work like building a campsite etc access, bridges, and infrastructure.

Kau said the company, however, cannot start mining until they are issued a mining lease which will be given to them around November.

“This is a good beginning for the Ministry in facilitating investment for the betterment of the nation as a whole,” Kau added.

He also thanked Aurum Explorations (Fiji) Ltd and landowners of the two sets of land.

“I wish to thank the landowners and the people of Naiwailevu and Natuvu in Bua for their faith and trust in Government in supporting the Land Reform initiative and the Look North policy.” 

By Repeka Nasiko