Landowners to get more than $700K from Tuvatu Gold Mining every year

Villagers of Korobebe and Nagado in Nadi will get more than $700,000 from Tuvatu Gold Mining every year for education and development purposes.

While responding to a question from Opposition member Viliame Gavoka on the benefits of the lease to the landowners, Minister for Lands Mereseini Vuniwaqa says other benefits include rent, royalties and community development.

Vuniwaqa says the company is also obliged to pay $300,000 after the first gold production and the landowners have already received $700,000 after the approval of the 21 year surface lease.

Vuniwaqa says there is also a provision to give first preference to the members of the landowning units for all unskilled employment in relation to the mining operation.

She adds villagers from the two village already made up 95% of the workforce ranging from Managers, Geologists, Engineers, technical and mechanical staff.

A 21 year surface lease from the Ministry of Lands and 10 year mining lease was granted by the Government to the Tuvatu Gold Mine in Sabeto, Nadi last month.