SUVA -- A Chinese company has been awarded a bauxite mining lease in Fiji's northern island of Bua, according to the Ministry of Lands on Thursday.
The ministry's acting permanent secretary Filimone Kau told the media that Minister Netani Sukanaivalu and other officials in the ministry will travel to Nawailevu in Bua on Friday to officially hand over the Nawailevu Bauxite Mining lease to the Chinese company Aurum Explorations Ltd.
According to Kau, it has also been agreed that landowners are to be given the first preference on unskilled and skilled employment provided they meet the criteria required and this is something they have been looking forward to for financial benefits.
Bauxite is a mineral used in the manufacturing of aluminum. Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau estimated potential total ore resources of bauxite in Vanualevu between 400 million tons and one billion tons.
The development is being supported by the Fiji government as it will allow villagers access to better roads, bridges and general infrastructure.
It will also rake in millions of dollars something the local province badly needs as it opens up employment opportunities for locals in the area
