Mining operations in Bua have caused considerable harm to coastal ecosystems, as highlighted by Margaret Vakalalabure, the manager of the Coral Reef Rescue Initiative with the World Wildlife Fund Fiji. Vakalalabure noted that certain communities in Bua are facing severe soil degradation resulting from bauxite mining activities.
“The communities have felt the most significant impacts from mining extraction, with their coastal ecosystems bearing the brunt of the damage,” she stated. During a workshop organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society, she mentioned that a substantial amount of soil runoff is affecting local traditional fishing grounds.
“These communities have experienced the repercussions and the loss that has occurred within their ecosystems,” Vakalalabure added. The mining activities have severely impacted their livelihoods, including their sources of mud crabs and fish. “It’s not just about the loss of resources; it’s a loss of culture as these are their traditional fishing areas,” she emphasized.
Vakalalabure pointed out that the removal of mangroves and trees, which serve as natural barriers against tidal surges, is a significant contributing factor to the issue. “Many mangroves have been cleared to accommodate roads, factories, businesses, and residential areas,” she remarked.
This issue extends beyond Bua, affecting other communities as well. “Some areas are experiencing tidal waves, a problem that has arisen due to the deforestation of mangrove forests for development projects,” she explained. She disclosed that approximately 30 million hectares of mangroves have been lost in Fiji since the 1970s.