The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources has strongly refuted allegations made by the Fiji Labour Party (FLP), asserting that claims regarding the unapproved export of 20 containers of gold ore to China are “ridiculously false, libelous, misleading, and mischievous.” The controversy stems from statements made by FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry, who alleged that a Chinese company involved in a joint venture at the Vatukoula Gold Mines had unlawfully shipped out significant amounts of gold ore for processing in China since December of last year.
Chaudhry expressed concerns over the transparency of the operations, citing that conversations with Director of Mines Apete Soro revealed that the company had applied for permission to export the ore after initial processing. He questioned how much raw material had left the country, invoking fears of lost revenue from the extraction of valuable minerals.
In their defense, the Ministry clarified that the exporting of ores is not a common business practice due to economic considerations and emphasized that any mineral export necessitates the approval of the Director of Mines, without requiring the consent of other government ministers. The Ministry explained that gold concentrates, which are more economically viable, are the refined product intended for export, and claims of illegal shipments being conducted were unfounded.
Additionally, the Ministry pointed out that as of the latest update, no applications for export licenses from the Director of Mines had been submitted to the authorities. Exporting gold concentrates is legally permitted under current regulations and aligns with global mining practices, which could provide increased revenue for Fiji during favorable market conditions.
Previous discussions highlighted the necessity of clear-sighted governance surrounding mining practices, especially in light of ongoing efforts to engage Chinese investments at Vatukoula. Stakeholders in the mining sector have previously underscored that attracting investment from entities such as these requires considerable effort to assure them of a conducive operating environment, especially amid local resistance and legal complexities surrounding land use and resource extraction.
This situation underscores the importance of transparency and open dialogue within the mining industry. It is hoped that by addressing these issues comprehensively, stakeholders from both the government and the local communities can find a path forward that ensures the mutual benefits of mining operations while respecting the rights and concerns of landowners.
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