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
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