$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.