Long Time No See
Twenty years ago, business leader Harvie Probert (left) paved the way to Tuvatu in a mineral resource exploration exercise.
This week, he joined an estimated crowd of 1000 people to celebrate the first gold pour at the site now known as Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Mine, owned and operated by Lion One Limited.
The festivities included Kevin Li (right), who arrived six years ago on the heels of a successful project in Canada.
Mr Li was engaged as project manager to plan and build the Tuvatu gold mine in mid-2017.
Mr Li and Mr Probert exchanged stories of their experiences at Tuvatu.
On his very first visit to the site in September 2017, most of the current mine site was still inaccessible, Mr Li said.
The first thing he did was rebuild the dilapidated Nabuyagiyagi bridge on the access road to the mine site with a box culvert bridge, to allow heavy machinery and equipment to safely cross the creek.
At the same time, he developed the mine’s gold processing plant site to multiple platforms based on the hilly and natural conditions of the site, to minimise the development costs.
Lion One successfully raised funds to develop the mine and build the gold processing plant in late 2021.
The company has invested $200 million in the project and delivered to its targets a year ahead of schedule.
Twenty years ago, business leader Harvie Probert (left) paved the way to Tuvatu in a mineral resource exploration exercise.
This week, he joined an estimated crowd of 1000 people to celebrate the first gold pour at the site now known as Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Mine, owned and operated by Lion One Limited.
Acting Minister for Mineral Resources Maciu Katamotu (left) eyes the first gold bar produced by Lion One during its first gold pour on October 10, at Tuvatu. For Lion One founder and chief executive officer Walter Berukoff, it was history in the making after 17 years of ownership of the site. Photo: Lion One
The festivities included Kevin Li (right), who arrived six years ago on the heels of a successful project in Canada.
Mr Li was engaged as project manager to plan and build the Tuvatu gold mine in mid-2017.
Mr Li and Mr Probert exchanged stories of their experiences at Tuvatu.
On his very first visit to the site in September 2017, most of the current mine site was still inaccessible, Mr Li said.
The first thing he did was rebuild the dilapidated Nabuyagiyagi bridge on the access road to the mine site with a box culvert bridge, to allow heavy machinery and equipment to safely cross the creek.
At the same time, he developed the mine’s gold processing plant site to multiple platforms based on the hilly and natural conditions of the site, to minimise the development costs.
Lion One successfully raised funds to develop the mine and build the gold processing plant in late 2021.
The company has invested $200 million in the project and delivered to its targets a year ahead of schedule.
Construction of the gold processing plant started in August 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Li led the company’s project team and contractors to overcome the impact of severe weather and COVID-19 pandemic challenges, to successfully build the gold processing plant ahead of schedule and within budget.
Story By: Frederica Elbourne
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj