Mt Kasi Awaits The Next Mineral Exploration
People of Wailevu in Cakaudrove expect a new dawn when Mount Kasi Gold Mine reopens.
The mine closed in 1998 following lack of funding to further develop, and falling prices.
But the Mineral Resources Department has now called for tenders from interested companies.
This comes with gold prices soaring and new mining techniques expanding opportunities.
It had earlier been a successful mine site before World War II.
Tui Wailevu, Ratu Jovesa Maivalili, said he would meet with villagers of Dawara Village and Keka Village, in Vanua Levu, where mining is expected to take place.
“It is important to lay the foundation, such as finding out who the rightful landlords are, and how many of them are in the village, as the young generation has left for greener pastures,” he said.
Laying such a foundation would ensure resources and money were not wasted, he said.
Ratu Jovesa said villagers had failed to improve their standard of living, in the face of mining development.
“Due to mismanagement of money and resources and ignorance, many villagers were not able to live a better life,” he said.
Highlights from Ratu Jovesa were:
Beneficiaries of mine need to be educated on how to put money to good use, he said.
Having diverse groups of people such as trustees, committees, conservation and communication teams, would safeguard resources against wastage. “I am not aware which companies are interested in reopening the mine or who will get the tender,” Ratu Jovesa said.
“All I understand from experience is that if the mine reopens, money will come in.”
Past experiences
Many companies have carried out mineral exploration at Mount Kasi.
The last company was from Australia, which he worked with for about four years as a surveyor and field officer.
Ratu Jovesa was appointed Tui Wailevu four years ago.
He has travelled the world to destinations such as Iran, Kuwait, America, Australia, and Dubai.
But there was no better place than Fiji, he said.
The 70-year-old grandfather called for more creativity among his people.
Mining, he said, would bring with it a lot of movement, indicative of money entering the Cakaudrove.
There are 29 villages and 28 yavusa with a total population of about 6000 people.
“People need to learn to grab opportunities and start new businesses to cater for services needed by miners,” Ratu Jovesa said.
“While we are facing the coronavirus pandemic, let us start thinking positive and prepare for the future.”
Spot checks
Ratu Jovesa said it was more than a decade since he stepped foot at Mount Kasi site.
“Since the closure, no one has dared to enter the mine, and hence the entrance to the mine is bushy.
“When the new company joins, it is my humble request to the Department of Environment to conduct spot checks such as the company not to mine outside the designated area and steal other land resources,” he said.
“Let us be diligent because money is not everything.”
Tender notice
The Mineral Resources Department has called for tenders on mining prospects at Mount Kasi.
Acting director of mines Raymond Mohammed said the tender for mineral prospects was a response to the big interest received from potential investors over further exploratory work in Mount Kasi.