$US20 million has come into the country through the bauxite mining operation in Bua.
Aurum Explorations Fiji Limited’s mine manager Vanuaca Basilio said this is in terms of taxes and wages paid to government and wages paid to the employees.
He said $2.5 million has also been paid to the landowners.
The bauxite mine currently has close to 150 permanent employees and 250 seasonal workers from around Fiji.
The first shipment of 60,000 tonnes of bauxite was sent to China yesterday.
He said Bua was previously underdeveloped but they now have various means of communication and the road is also expected to be tar sealed from Dreketi to Nabouwalu.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has stated that the expansion in the mining and quarrying sector is based on the commencement of bauxite mining in Nawailevu, Bua, and gold mining activities which are expected to boost the economy this year.
Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa
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Bauxite mining in Bua brings in $20M
