The troubled hard rock quarry in Mau, Namosi, is poised for a revival, with operations set to recommence in the upcoming year. Mark Halabe, a board director for operator Island Quarries Ltd (IQL), provided insights into the company’s plans during an exclusive interview. He announced that they recently received their first piece of industrial machinery and are expecting further equipment shortly, including a drill from New Zealand set to arrive early next year.
Preparations are already underway at the site, where staff are clearing the area, and IQL has engaged in traditional protocols, including a sevusevu to the vanua, acknowledging their shareholders from the local community. Halabe emphasized the importance of ensuring that the local stakeholders are not just landowners but also participants in the economic benefits derived from the quarry, stating, “It’s a good story to tell, and we’re very keen to get going.”
He expressed confidence in the product’s marketability, noting, “The product people are lining up already saying, when can you supply us?” With expectations to achieve their first commercial rock sales by early next year, the optimism surrounding the quarry’s operations is palpable.
The quarry came under new ownership when it was acquired by the Kinetic Growth Fund (KGF), a company listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange, in 2020. Previously, operations had been halted following a tragic landslide in 2016 that resulted in the deaths of three workers, including the managing director at that time. Halabe highlighted the unfortunate circumstances that led to the previous owner’s inability to continue, leading to KGF’s decision to invest in the quarry’s potential.
Reflecting on the past, Halabe noted the sorrow surrounding the fatalities and acknowledged that the previous company had received a stop work notice and did not return. Despite the option to sell the business for a portion of their investment, KGF chose to pursue revitalization, believing in the quarry’s future. Halabe stated, “It took us two years from that decision to where we are today,” signaling both a commitment to safety and community involvement as they move forward.
The reopening of the quarry symbolizes hope not only for the company but also for the local community, reaffirming a pathway to recovery and economic growth after a period of tragedy.
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