FIJI - Bauxite Mine in Bua - Vanua Levu

PM opens bauxite mine in Bua

“Today is a day to celebrate”

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in opening Fiji’s first bauxite mine in Bua today said Fijians should feel confident in this form of exploration as the Government continues to implement various reforms to create high trading standards for long-term growth and a bright future for the economy.

However, he said Government will not shy away from its responsibility to the community and the people, will stand by the workers, the resource owners, investors and the environment.

Commodore Bainimarama said as of June this year, a total of 49 Special Exploration Licenses covering 576,146 hectares were issued while a further 37 applications including deep sea explorations were in varying stages of processing.

Meanwhile, deputy secretary for Lands Pene Baleinabuli said the Chinese company has already paid $1 million to the Nawailevu landowners so far.

He said the flow on effects are also huge as many people have set up businesses to benefit from the bauxite mine in Bua.

Baleinabuli said the 20 year mining lease also has set conditions on rehabilitation work on the mining site in Nawailevu. 

The government has high hopes that the mining sector will be boosted with the bauxite mining starting in the Northern Division and copper mining commencing in Namosi sometime next year.


Story by: Vijay Narayan & Tokasa Rainima




$1M paid to Bua landowners so far for bauxite mine


Bauxite mining starts in Nawailevu, Bua, from today and huge benefits are expected for the people of the Bua province and the country’s economy as a whole.

As Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama gets ready to open the Aurum Exploration Mine in Bua, deputy secretary for Lands Pene Baleinabuli said the Chinese company has already paid $1 million to the landowners so far.

He said the flow on effects are also huge as many people have set up businesses to benefit from the bauxite mine in Bua.

Baleinabuli said the 20 year mining lease also has set conditions on rehabilitation work on the mining site in Nawailevu. 

The government has high hopes that the mining sector will be boosted with the bauxite mining starting in the Northern Division and copper mining commencing in Namosi sometime next year.

Hopes are high that this will result in increased exports and also increased economic opportunities for the landowners and others in the provinces.

Story by: Vijay Narayan