Land lease approved for new bauxite minning site in Bua

Another 20 year land lease has been approved to XINFA Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited for a new bauxite mining site at Votua, Lekutu in Bua.

Mine Manager Basilio Vanuaca said 400,000 tonnes of bauxite is expected to be extracted from that piece of land which is 500 metres away from the current site at Nawailevu.

Vanuaca said the government has also extended their bauxite mining license.

Director Land Use Unit, Samuela Naicegucegu said $232,000 as premium money has been paid to the Mataqali Naita of Votua village in Lekutu, Bua.

Naicegucegu said $7,000 is the land rent for a year and will be paid in the first five years subject to the review of the lease.

He added the landowners will also receive royalty money after the completion of the mining project.

Lands and Mineral Resources Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa visited the North earlier this week and handed over the lease documents to XINFA Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited.

Meanwhile Managing Director of XINFA Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited, Sireli Dagaga said the mining operations at the Nawaileu site will be completed by the end of this month.

He said the mining project has been more successful than predicted with 1.2 million tonnes of bauxite shipped to China over the past three years.

He added they are planting pine trees and cash crops to rehabilitate the land in Nawailevu.