A group of workers stand in front of the Wainivesi Mine project in North Tailevu.
RACHNA LAL
SUVA
Things are not going as planned for the Wainivesi Mine located sixteen kilometres from Korovou Town, Tailevu.
The upgrade of operations at Wainivesi has been delayed by almost two years now and has cost millions more than expected.
Not only this, but the operator of the mine, Asia Pacific Resources, has still not received a substantive Mining Lease extension from the Fijian Government.
Asia Pacific Resources managing director, Matthew Huggan, confirmed this.
Mr Huggan said he did not know what the delay in granting the Mining Lease extension was.
“Maybe it is simply logistical and the Director’s (Mineral Resources) resources are just stretched too thin,” he said.
“The company has met its requirements under the Act and work is continuing on site, investors have kept putting money in.
“The Director’s team have done all their investigations so there seems to be no reason for the extension not to be granted.
“Hopefully, we will receive it in the next couple of weeks and everyone’s mind will be put to rest.”
Emails and calls to Director Mineral Resources, Malakai Finau, had received no response when this issue went to press.
Mr Huggan said the extension of the Mining Lease was crucial to continuing to attract investment and for the investors, who have now committed investment worth more than $100 million into this project over 15 years, to make their returns.
“It is also vital for the Government so that the people of the nation can benefit from the taxes it will pay,” he said.
“It is also vital for the landowners so that they can get their royalties from the project.