Fiji/Tonga dispute area of water believed rich in gold and silver

Scientific expeditions have shown that the waters between Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand are among the most potentially lucrative in the world for relatively easily accessible minerals, particularly gold and silver.

Stuff.co reported that this is the reason behind a dispute on New Zealand's northern maritime boundary between Tonga and Fiji.

It said that this is the view of IHS Global Insight, a London based strategic analyst firm who yesterday alerted clients to the dispute over the Minerva Reefs, 1500 kilometres north of Auckland.

Stuff reports that the area in question was claimed by Tonga in 1972 and IHS said the Minerva question is likely to remain an irritant in the otherwise good relationship between Fiji and Tonga, although there is the potential for it to become more significant if the question of the two countries' maritime borders becomes economically significant.
 
Fiji's Deputy Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Sila Balawa confirmed to Fijivillage that they have written to Tonga about two structures on the reef.

Balawa said they told the Tongans they were building the structures on Fiji's territory.

He confirmed that the letter stated that Fiji reserves the right - to take any appropriate necessary action - to protect the integrity of its territory - with regards to the construction of the structures on the reef, namely a lighthouse.

However, Balawa stressed that this is a long standing issue which will be resolved diplomatically and they don't want it to be blown out of proportion.

He said the issue will not be allowed to become an obstacle in the historic ties between Fiji and Tonga.
 
To Fiji the reef is known as the Teleki Reefs and were the traditional fishing grounds of Ono-i-Lau some 300 km away.

The Fiji government is now awaiting a response from Tonga.


Story by: Roneel Lal