BONGA WANTS 95% FIJIANS
Canadian drilling company hiring locals for mineral exploration
Bonga Xploration Drilling Limited, a Canadian cointractor for mineral exploration company, Thunderstruck Resources, has advertised for local drillers.
The company wants to hire four drillers and eight offsiders.
The company recently advertised vacancies in the Fiji Sun, for the position of diamond drillers.
Applications can be sent to lfgbongaxploration@gmail.com
According to the advertisement, the nature of the job would take the incumbent on exploration projects “all over the Fiji islands.”
Thunderstruck Resources won the mineral exploration licence for four sites in Viti Levu, most of wihch were located in the interior of Namosi.
Meanwhile, the Bonga advertisement provided no closing date to applications for the post, but said the posts were on immediate offer.
Fijian
Bonga wants its Fiji operations to comprise 95 per cent Fijian employees, said company chief executive officer, Lloyd Gale.
“I cannot get my crew into the country, because of the high risk areas of travel through COVID-19,” he said.
“I am hoping that the majority of the company will be Fijan employed.
“We need to employ local and disregard the need for big tech companies, if possible.
“Bonga is also interested in promoting a drilling course for schooling if applicable.”
Mr Gale said Bonga was invited to Fiji by Thunderstruck Resources’ to carry out their exploration drilling campaigns, Mr Gale said.
He said the invitation was based in part on the fact that Bonga Xploration Drilling operated small machines which would create employment.
Bonga Xploration Drilling was also invited for its reputation in leaving next to zero environmental impact wherever they work, Mr Gale said.
Another expert
Mr Gale said he was the only foreign expert brought in for the task.
He arrived in Fiji in August, during the COVID-19 restrictions, after he was hired by Thunderstruck Resources.
“Bonga would like to invite another expert as soon as possible,” Mr Gayle said.
“Of course, Bonga would need to bring in at least one other expert, to assist with training techniques and strategies.”
He said Thunderstruck Resources’ Fiji programmes were on standby because of inclement weather. “Once the weather clears, we will be back at work,” Mr Gale said.
“In the meantime, this would be a great time to conduct interviews for new talent.”
Local responses to the advertisement have been few, Mr Gale said. The nature of enquiries over the vacancy were mainly from other exploration firms who asked about the exploration drilling programme throughout the country, he said.
Machines
Bonga supplies smaller modern core drilling machines that can be moved by hand, he said.
The use of such machines means less environmental impact, Mr Gale said.
“These machines were primarily designed for simplifying tasks, as well as keeping any environmental issues to a minimum,” he said.
Building base
Mr Gale wants to bring to Fiji Bonga’s financial manager, Viccy Namuyomba.
“Ideally, we would like to bring Viccy Namuyomba - who also is a senior auditor for Deloitte - to Fiji, and assist with financial scenarios, as well as aid me in finding the best management team locally,” he said.
“Essentially, it is up to Bonga to hire the best staff locally and flourish as a business providing opportunities to talented Fijians.”
Bonga Xploration Drilling operates in the shadows of Canadian mineral exploration company, Thunderstruck Resources, he said.