A royalty cheque of $529,117.92 has been handed to landowners in Vaturu under Mining Lease 62, the Government announced, marking the fifth distribution from developer Lion One Pte Limited. The payment, which covers royalties for the period December 2025 to March 2026, was presented to Marama ni Yavusa Rarawaqa, Mrs Kelera Matalau of Mataqali Nacokula, identified by officials as the remaining landowner for the lease.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo described the handover as more than a commercial transaction, saying it recognises “your enduring role as custodians of the land.” Vosarogo emphasised the payment as evidence of ongoing collaboration between the Government, developers and the vanua, and reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring landowners receive their rightful share of benefits from resource development. “We look forward to many days such as this,” he added.
Lion One Pte Limited made the payment under the terms of Mining Lease 62; Government statements did not disclose details of the lease beyond confirming this is the fifth distribution the company has made to the Vaturu landowning group. Officials said the funds represent royalties earned during the three-month period to March 2026 and were handed directly to the customary representative for timely allocation under local protocols.
Landowner payments such as this form part of a wider national conversation about how iTaukei landholders share in revenue from resource projects. In recent months, landowner organisations and the iTaukei Land Trust Board have been calling for reforms to outdated land laws and leasing arrangements to boost returns and ensure equitable benefit distribution. Government and industry proponents have pointed to regular royalty payments as evidence that development can deliver tangible returns for customary owners.
Mrs Kelera Matalau, as Marama ni Yavusa Rarawaqa, was presented with the cheque in a ceremony attended by ministry officials and representatives of the lease group. Ministry sources said the presentation followed verification of entitlement under the lease and customary protocols; they did not provide a breakdown of how the funds will be distributed within Mataqali Nacokula.
The latest disbursement underlines continued payments to Vaturu landowners under Mining Lease 62, but also arrives against the backdrop of broader calls for legislative change to strengthen landowner negotiating positions. The Government has signalled it will continue to facilitate engagement between developers and customary owners to ensure timely payments and adherence to agreed lease terms.
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