New Bua bauxite mine to bring in about $16M

The new bauxite mine in Bua is expected to rake in about $16 million in revenue.

XINFA Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited Mine Manager, Basilio Vanuaca says 400,000 tonnes of bauxite is expected to be extracted from Votua, Lekutu in Bua.

Vanuaca said work on the new site started this month and 200 seasonal workers are employed by the company.

He said they were given another 20 year land lease and their bauxite mining license was extended last year.

The Mataqali Naita of Votua village in Lekutu has received $232,000 as premium payment.

According to the Land Use Unit, $7,000 is the land rent for a year and this will be paid in the first five years subject to the review of the lease.

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

Meanwhile, Vanuaca said they are planting pine trees and cash crops to rehabilitate the land in Nawailevu.