15 Mar 2007

New owners hope to sign deal over Fiji goldmine today

10:28 am on 15 March 2007

The new owners of Fiji's shut down Vatukoula goldmine have arrived in the country hoping to seal the deal with authorities today.

Fiji TV reports that the directors of Sydney-based Westech Gold Limited not only plan to revive the Vatukoula mine but also start mining the Tuvatu gold prospect near Nadi.

Westech directors Brian Wesson and his wife Amelia worked at the Vatukoula mine in the 1990s.

They say there is still 4-million ounces of gold to be mined there which at current values would be worth over 3-point-8 billion US dollars.

The Emperor Gold Mining Company's general manager at Vatukoula, Frazer Bouchier, says he is resigning immediately to enable the new owners to take over.

Mr Bouchier adds that there is no doubt about the potential of Vatukoula.