Wainunu District appeals for Mining Act review to protect livelihoods and resources

The villagers in the District of Wainunu in Bua have submitted a request for the Mining Act to be reviewed by the Department of Mineral Resources, following their concerns about the devastation caused by Bua bauxite exploration under the company XINFA Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited.

While speaking to fijivillage News, Saolo Village in Bua headman, Eminioni Rokotovitovi says they do not want any exploration or mining to take place because it destroys their source of livelihood, resources, and the beauty of the landscape.

Rokotovitovi says they have noticed that the past few years of exploration by the XINFA Company has changed the color of streams where they traditionally gather food such as prawns, crabs and seaweed.

He also reminded landowners to be considerate in their decisions and to think about future generations and how activities like mining will affect their sources of livelihood.

Rokotovitovi hopes that after their submission, the Government will review or change the Mining Act to ensure landowners can also be part of the development process.