Workers at the Bauxite mine in Nawailevu, Bua. Photo:LOSIRENE CHAND
By LOSIRENE CHAND
72,000 tonnes of bauxite material was shipped out yesterday from Bua.
Aurum Exploration (Fiji) Limited managing director, Isireli Dagaga, said a ship had arrived yesterday to take the 72,000 tonnes to China.
This figure is much higher than that mined for the combined months of March and April when only 52,350 tonnes was exported to China.
Mr Dagaga said there were a few factors which had affected the monthly production and its export in March and April.
“There are a few factors that affects our monthly production and export; firstly the weather and secondly the availability of the ship,” he said.
Rehabilitation works
Meanwhile rehabilitation work still continues at the mine site as vertiva grass has been planted on the slopes to help stop soil erosion.
“Planting vegetables like beans and watermelon had already started on the mined area and bean has already been harvested,” Mr Dagaga said.
“We are still trying to get some fast growing softwood seedlings to be planted on the rest of the area.”
Mr Dagaga also confirmed that as of October last year, there have been no complaints on the effects of bauxite mining affecting the i-Qoloqoli of Navakasiga in Bua.