The government will have discussions with the Tikina Namosi Landowners Committee next week to sort out issues in relation to access for the Namosi Joint Venture to continue with exploration works for copper and gold and the environmental impact assessment consultations.
Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Colonel Pio Tikoduadua said the environmental impact assessment has to be carried out and people need to be fully informed in relation to the proposed mine in Namosi.
He also stressed that no mining license has been issued to Newcrest Mining which is leading the exploration works for Namosi Joint Venture.
The landowners have currently stopped Newcrest from going ahead with the exploration and the environmental impact assessment has also been stopped.
Colonel Tikoduadua said the landowners should give access for the exploration and he has also made it clear that the government will take all factors into account before major decisions are made.
Fijivillage questioned the Tikina Namosi Landowners Committee monitoring team leader Iowane Duwari why they are stopping the exploration works in Namosi which has also halted the environmental impact assessment consultations.
Colonel Tikoduadua said proper discussions need to take place and all the pros and cons in relation to the proposed mine need to be fully and openly discussed.
He said he visited the Namosi community a few days ago and the landowners will meet with Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama next Wednesday.
Commodore Bainimarama will meet the Namosi landowners at 10am Wednesday.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
PM to meet with Namosi landowners
