An Australian company is currently facing challenges in efforts by the government to award the prospecting license for the Mount Kasi Gold Mine in Vanua Levu. It has been revealed that this company, favored by local landowners for excavation, has not adhered to the established procedures.
“This Special Prospecting License was advertised in 2010, making it a process that has been ongoing for over a decade,” stated Filimoni Vosarogo, Minister for Land and Mineral Resources. He explained that the file was inherited by the current government when it took office in December 2022, at which point the licensing process was approximately 80 percent complete.
Vosarogo mentioned that numerous consultations had taken place prior to the Coalition Government taking power, noting that the previous acting director of mines had met with landowners at least 11 times. He has also engaged with landowners five times since taking office, providing explanations about the process and receiving their understanding regarding the current status.
The previous government’s selection of Vatukoula Gold Mine was reportedly rejected by landowners, who prefer Aquilo Gold, an Australian junior miner established in 2019, which lists Mount Kasi as its sole project, despite not yet having received the SPL.
“Eight companies applied for the SPL, and the Australian company that had been in discussions with the landowners was not among the top five preferences,” Vosarogo added. He emphasized the complexities and costs associated with mining operations, referencing Lion One’s expenditure of over $165 million before the opening of their project in Tuvatu. The minister highlighted the necessity to award the SPL to firms that possess both the technical capabilities and financial backing to manage such operations effectively.
Mr. Vosarogo indicated that the announcement of the SPL awardee for Mount Kasi is likely to occur next week.