Residents living alongside the Sabeto River in Nadi are outraged after wastewater from Lion One Metals Limited allegedly contaminated the river’s marine resources. The headman of Korobebe village, Ropate Navilalutu, reported feeling misled by the company’s assurances after being informed of the discharge last Friday. Villagers, unaware of potential contamination, continued to collect and consume fish from the river, leading to concerns over their health.
According to Navilalutu, he was informed of the incident but did not receive sufficient details about the potential hazards. He stated, “I got a call from the manager on Friday saying there had been an incident, and he said nothing more. I informed the village right away so that villagers do not swim, wash, or catch fish from the river.”
Lion One Metals Limited’s Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Hicky, has admitted responsibility for the incident, which involved a water discharge containing higher than usual levels of copper that occurred between Thursday evening and Friday morning. Hicky claimed the environmental impact was localized to the company’s Special Mining Lease (SML) boundary and primarily affected sensitive fish species, excluding tilapia.
Despite the company’s assertions, villagers reported seeing dead fish in the river, raising fears about the reach of the contamination. Water samples have since been collected for testing, although locals worry it may be too late to protect those who may have already consumed tainted fish. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) is currently conducting a thorough investigation while encouraging residents to refrain from using the river until further notice.
MECC emphasized its commitment to ensuring environmental safety and community well-being and has stated that Lion One must comply with National Liquid Waste Standards as per their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) permit conditions. Furthermore, the company has acknowledged the need to compensate those affected by this incident.
This situation echoes previous environmental concerns where effective communication and community involvement played vital roles in addressing pollution issues. For instance, past incidents involving oil discharge have demonstrated the importance of swift action and engagement between communities and government entities.
As the authorities and Lion One Metals Ltd. work to resolve the fallout of this incident, there remains hope that the situation will foster a constructive dialogue, reinforcing the need for responsible environmental practices and the significance of safeguarding local resources for future communities. The ongoing commitment to assessing and rectifying the situation signals potential improvements in environmental management.
Leave a comment