Expat Experts Boost Vatukoula Mines Growth
xpatriates are expected to join the workforce at Vatukoula Gold Mine Limited. General manager Yi Huang said the arrival of expatriates was one of the many positive developments at the mine since the Government eased border restrictions.
Expatriates will be returning from China to resume work at the mine when the international border opens, he said.
“They work on an annual contract as per work permit approval,” Mr Yi said.
The expatriates will specialise in:
• metallurgy,
• heavy fuel oils power generation engineering,
• mine engineering,
• geology,
• underground heavy vehicle engineering, and
• procurement of overseas purchases.
“It’s also good news that the new ore treatment plant will start soon,” he told SunBiz.
“It’s all systems go since the borders re-opened.
“All staff are back at work, with only 25 per cent yet to get a second dose of vaccination.”
Dolphin Shaft
Construction work has commenced underground at Dolphin Shaft, where contractors are building an electricity sub-station, railway tracks and a pump station, among others.
Construction at Dolphin Shaft will span a year with a budget of $8.1 million, Mr Yi said.
KDJ Contractors of Shanxi Kaidejin Engineering Company Limited “KDJ” are currently on long term work permits.
“KDJ is the Chinese-based company contracted by Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited to carry out the ongoing multi-million dollar ventilation and hoisting shaft capital project at our Vatukoula site,” Mr Yi said.
Moving Forward
Vatukoula Gold Mine Limited’s future plans include the development of a:
• head frame.
• shaft sink.
• shaft bottom system, and
• de-watering and spill ore handling system.
Employment
Vatukoula Gold Mines is the largest employer in Tavua, with 1455 employees in its service.
“We employ members of the community who make up the greater part of our workforce,” Dr Yi said.
Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited is the former operations of what had been Emperor Mines Limited. Emperor shut down Vatukoula abruptly in 2006 saying it was no longer sustainable
Chinese interests bought out the Australians who had taken over. The Chinese investors pumped millions of dollars into upgrading the mine, expanding it and making it profitable .
“One hundred and twenty six employees have served the mines for the past 19 years to date,” Mr Yi said.
“Vatukoula has a number of third and fourth generation family members – that is, their fathers or grandfathers who have worked for the mine since it started in 1934.
“The work and community have become a way of life for them.”
Vatukoula Gold Mines provides the following services to its employees:
Free tap water.
Free electricity.
Free garbage collection. Donations to the community and the community school. Ambulance services.