An Australian firm is facing challenges related to the government’s efforts to grant a prospecting license for the Mount Kasi Gold Mine in Vanua Levu. Reports indicate that this company, which has garnered the preference of landowners, has not adhered to the required procedures.
“This Special Prospecting License (SPL) was first advertised in 2010, making it a process that has spanned over a decade,” stated Filimoni Vosarogo, the Minister for Land and Mineral Resources. He noted that the current government inherited the matter in December 2022 when the licensing process was already approximately 80% complete.
Vosarogo mentioned that several consultations have taken place, with the previous acting director of mines and mineral resources meeting with landowners no fewer than 11 times before the Coalition Government assumed office. He revealed that since taking office, he has also met with landowners five times to clarify the ongoing process and they have mostly been understanding of the situation.
The previous administration’s selection of Vatukoula Gold Mine was met with resistance from landowners, who have expressed a preference for Aquilo Gold, an Australian junior miner established in 2019 that lists Mt Kasi as its sole project, despite the SPL not yet being awarded.
“Eight companies submitted applications for the SPL, and the Australian company in discussions with landowners was not among the top five in terms of preference,” Vosarogo explained. He emphasized the technical and financial complexities involved in mining operations, citing Lion One Company, which spent over $165 million before opening its Tuvatu mine, as an example. Therefore, he stressed the importance of awarding the SPL to companies with proven technical expertise and financial capability.
The announcement regarding the SPL award for Mt Kasi is anticipated next week.