Get Bauxite mine running: Illegal Fiji PM

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation - Thursday, June 10, 2010

Stakeholders involved in the proposed Bauxite mine initiative in Bua have been urged to speed up negotiations and get the mine up and running. 

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, at a visit to the bauxite mine area today, also urged landowners to go into a joint venture with the mining company so they can reap the benefits.

FBC News Roland Koroi with this report from Bua:

“Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama told landowners at Nawailevu that the main reason he is pushing for the opening of the bauxite mine was so that they could benefit. 

Bainimarama told those gathered at the proposed mining site that for far too long landowners of this country were not taken seriously and were not getting what they rightfully deserve in as far as far as their concerned. 

The Prime Minster was briefed by experts at the site before being taken on a short tour of the Naiviqiri Bay. The Naiviqiri bau is currently being looked at as the site for a wharf – for the loading of bauxite. Naiviqiri is about 5 minutes out of the mining site and it is also here that a quarry will be built to contribute towards the betterment of the road which is now just a track through reed patches on soapstone and red mud. 

It was here that Bainimarama told the Permanent Secretary for Lands Colonel Neumi Leweni that he wants work to begin as soon as possible. 

He has also advised NLTB representatives present at the site to speed up the process of sorting the land leases out and he has made it clear that he does not want anybody or anything to prevent or even delay the process of getting this project off the ground.”

Permanent Secretary for Lands Colonel Neumi Leweni told FBC News that outstanding issues with the mine will be sorted out soon.

“The Prime Minister has been briefed by the Company and mineral resources officers and directed that we discuss all the issues with NLTB on Tuesday to sort out all the issues that needs to be sorted out and the green light will be given.”