$196,500 will be distributed amongst 123 members of the Nasomo Landowners Trust which is the combined 13th and 14th payout of the mineral royalty fair share.
The payout is in accordance of the Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Act 2018 which states that 80% of mineral royalties be given to landowning units or customary fishing rights holders and 20% retained by the State.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Jone Usamate says around $1.08 million has been paid to the Nasomo Landowners Trust since 2018.
Usamate says this payout is the result of the gold and silver mined in Nasomo from June to November this year.
He says this is a reflection of the government's foresight in ensuring socio-economic empowerment of all Fijians.
He has also encouraged Nasomo Landowners Trust members and the wider Vatukoula and Tavua mining community to continue to support the Vatukoula Gold Mines in an effort to secure the future of mining in the area.
