Vatukoula Gold Mines New GM Takes Up Office
Fiji’s sole gold producer has welcomed its new leader at a time when the mine operated below budget. Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited’s new general manager, Jiangwu Li, takes the helm as the company emerges from setbacks suffered by earlier extreme weather conditions.
Given his vast experience in the mining industry, Mr Li is expected to develop his plans for the mine after a thorough review of the operations.
Under his guidance, Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited (VGML) is confident about the unfolding of its capital expansion plans in the face of global inflationary pressure.
“We are focused on making up the shortfall,” the mines said in response to SunBiz queries.
But effective management over the impact of significant cost increases must be adhered to over the next three years, for the mines to realise such goals, the company said.
Mr Li joins Vatukoula Gold Mines, following his stint as chief engineer at Zhongrun Resources Investment Corp, Vatukoula’s controlling shareholder.
With a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mining from Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, he arrived in recent weeks to assume his role over a three-year work permit.
It followed the sudden resignation of Yi Huang - a doctor in mining engineering - who worked at the Vatukoula mines for seven consecutive years.
Mr Yi was also chairman of the VGM Limited Fiji, and had over 30 years of experience in the industry.
He cited personal reasons upon his resignation, after he reunited with his family abroad, when border restrictions were lifted following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Yi - a Canadian citizen - joined Vatukoula mines in 2014, as chief engineer, before he worked his way up to general manager in 2019 - a post he held until late 2021.