The Vanua of Nabukebuke in Namosi has witnessed the environmental impacts of exploration over the past 60 years, which is why they continue to raise concerns and firmly say no to mining.
The former Chairman for the district of Namosi, Josefa Tauleka says that nearly 500 drill sites have been created on Nabukebuke land.
He claims the responsibility to seal those drill sites, known as drill caps was supposed to fall under the Department of Mineral Resources within the Ministry of Lands, but this was never carried out.
Tauleka says when he asked workers at the Waisoi site in Namosi what had been placed in the drill holes, they told him it was chemicals.
He says this overflowed into the river, affecting their primary food source.
He also highlighted that the government easily granted a Special Prospecting Licence to the company involved, without considering the serious consequences of that decision.
Director of Mineral Resources, Apete Soro says the government is still in the discussion phase regarding the renewal of the SPL and has not moved forward with plans for mining.
Soro says mining may happen in the future, but only if and when minerals are confirmed to be present on the land.
Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Filimoni Vosarogo also confirmed that the file documenting SPL 1420 pertains solely to exploration activities, with no provisions related to mining.
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