Mining Law Review Will Be ‘All-Inclusive’
Moves to carry out an evaluation of Fiji’s mining laws and policies have been welcomed as timely.
Viti Mining, Fiji’s only locallyowned mining company, said the announcement was a great effort to address duplicity in processes.
The going concern among operators is with duplication, additional costs and different interpretations of the same issue, between two separate agencies.
The clash in roles between the Department of Environment and the Mineral Resources Department, calls for more clarity.
Another international mining company said the ministerial decision was indicative of the national commitment to improve the entire mining process.
“It’s a big step, a huge move, and we hope it is carried out right,” one commentator said.
SunBiz’s queries to a number of mining and mineral exploration companies, remained unanswered when this edition went to print.
The review might be of interest to a group of landowners in Namosi (See QR code) who are challenging the policies that govern the mineral exploration efforts.
The review
In a letter dated December 22, 2021, the Mineral Resources Department informed the Mining and Quarrying Council of its intention to carry out the review.
The Mining Policy Framework assessment project will also consider the existing draft Mineral Exploitation and Exploration Bill (MEEB), which is in its 11th draft.
Mineral Resources Department director, Raymond Mohammed, said: “Your support and positive participation in this consultation exercise will be appreciated, and will contribute immensely towards achieving the objectives of the MPF assessment project for Fiji.”
Local consultant and former director for the Mineral Resources Department, Venasio Nasara, will lead consultations with individual organisations.
The consultation
The Mining and Quarrying Council said it had informed its individual members, who would in turn make individual and direct presentations to the review panel.
A timeline for the review was being finalised, Mr Mohammed said.
The evaluation was enabled under an agreement between the Canadian-based Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) and the Government of Fiji.
The review, led by the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, will use Fiji’s Mining Policy Framework platform.
The framework assessments will also include extensive in-person consultations with key stakeholders, Mr Mohammed said.
The private sector, civil society, mine operators and mineral exploration licence holders, can have their say during the review, he said.
Last year, Mineral Resources Minister Jone Usamate said the Government’s five-year and 20-year National Development Plan, included a sustainable mining industry.
“The National DevelopmentPlan sets targets and timelines for this sector; targets and timelines from 2018 to 2022,” he said.
“We intend to be as inclusive as possible, taking into account all the significant changes and developments in the global mining sector and also the evolving dynamics of the local sector.
“We want to end up with a modern mining legislation.”
In December, 2020, Cabinet was informed of the progress to review the Mining Act and Fiji’s Mining Policy of 1997.
Phase 1
Cabinet also endorsed the review of the old Act, and also to look at the Bill that was proposed in 2006, Mr Usamate said.
It was reviewed in 2013 with consideration to relook at Fiji’s Mineral Policy, he said.
Government aims to have the reviewed Act enforced, with the enactment process to commence by December 2022, Mr Usamaste said.
The ministry’s announcement last month, marks the beginning of a three phase exercise that will lead to the reviewed laws.
“Phase 2 will be the publication stage where IGF provides its report.
“The draft Bill is revised and finalised and then it goes to Cabinet and ultimately to Parliament.
“Phase 3 will be the capacity-building stage or the implementation stage once the Bill has been completed and the Act has been enacted.
“There will be training that has to be undertaken, awareness that needs to be undertaken for all the stakeholders in the country.
“It will see an overhaul of the environmental
Scan QR code for video on Nabukebuke landowner’s opposition against mineral exploration efforts at Namosi.
provisions of the Mining Act.”