Social Impacts of Mining / Mineral Exploration - Fiji

Vatukoula Gold Mine, Mt Kasi Gold Prospect, Namosi Copper Prospect examples.

Scope

IntroductionBackground – Mining in FijiSocial Impacts Case StudiesVatukoula Gold MineMt Kasi Gold ProspectNamosi Copper ProjectSummary

Mineral Exploration & Mining in Fiji (Background)

Gold was first reported in 1868Mt Kasi Gold Mine opened in 1932

Operated from 1932 – 1946, 1996 – 1998Vatukoula Gold Mine opened in 1934

1934 – 20062007 – Present

Currently 4 Mining Leases, 1 Permit to MineVatukoula, Wainivesi, Nawailevu, Ba DeltaNasaucoko (PTM)

Vatukoula, Namosi Location

Vatukoula Gold Mine (VGML)

VGM Social Impacts examplesEmployment / LabourHousing / AccommodationEducation / TrainingHealthWay of LifeCompensation (Landowner)

Social ImpactsEmployment / Labour

First time for Labour to b sourced from within Fiji & RotumaRecruitment done from the 14 provinces & RotumaInvolved internal migration within Fiji on a big scaleChanged the lives of the workers forever

VGM (Contd)

Unionism – early e.g. of union for welfare of workersMost active, popular & strong unionLongest duration strike – 1991 to present“Vatukoula” break – 2 hours lunch breakCOMPENSATIONCompensation policy non-existent back thenNon-issue as land is freehold

Housing / AccommodationDifferent from rural settingHealth & hygiene issues

Low standard housingOvercrowding

Informal SettlementsClosure of the Mine 2006

Community /Population with no employmentSocial Impacts

VGM (contd)Education / Training

Schools for childrenIndustrial training for workers

Best apprenticeship

HealthProvision of medical facility at the mineHealth concerns on working environment of underground mine

Way of LifeChanged forever / Mine settlement lifestyleSocial dislocation

Mining Potential

Mt. Kasi240,000 oz GoldTender process completedAward of SPL to Newcrest Exploration (Fiji) Ltd

Mt KasiNative Land – Native landownersVillage near the MineRecruitment not as widely done as VGMLabour no. not as high as VGMMining Camp with workers & no informal settlementCompensation – non-issue in 1930’s

An issue in 1996 – 1998An issue in future development

Namosi Project (Namosi Joint Venture)Waisoi Camp

Namosi Copper ProjectNJV – SPL1420 (Namosi)

Low grade Copper/Gold but high volume >1BTPre-feasibility in progressESIA TOR consultation completed70kt/a Cu and 50 kt/a Au

Namosi CopperNamosi Joint Venture (NJV)Not a minePre-feasibility phase of Exploration (Advanced Exploration Phase)

Social ImpactsEmployment / Labour

Not as high at the moment in explorationDemand will be high if it goes to Mining StageForecasted to reach 2000 maximum labour force

Housing / AccommodationNot much issues at the moment

Education / TrainingProvision of education / training assistance through funding by NJV

Namosi Copper ProjectHealth

Provision of Doctor at siteProvision of emergency assistance to landowners

CulturalOpponents and supportersLand boundaries clarificationYouth vs Old Population

Way of Life

Namosi (contd)

Landowner IssuesEmploymentLand ownershipLand boundaryDegradation / Loss of landEnvironmentCompensation

SUMMARY – Social ImpactsPositive and negativeIntended and unintended impactsLandownership affects social impacts

VGM – less LO issuesNamosi – high LO issues

ConflictSources of conflict

Unity & Cooperation – sources of unity

Thank you for Listening

Vinaka vakalevu