26 Jun 2012

Fiji landowners reject council support for Namosi mine project

7:13 pm on 26 June 2012

The spokesperson of the committee that represents landowners from a district earmarked for a proposed mine in Fiji says they are concerned about comments from the Provincial Council in support of the project.

The Namosi Joint Venture, a partnership between the Australian mining company Newcrest and Japanese interests, is proposing to mine copper and gold near Suva.

The chair of the Namosi Provincial Council, Ratu Romanu Matanitobua, says they are supporting the multi-million dollar project because of what the company has done so far for the people.

But the Namosi Tikina Landowners' Committee spokesperson, Sipiriano Nariva, says the council is not representing the landowners.

"It's enough, they didn't want any other exploration done to their land, what the paramount chief say it is not what the landowners view, it is his view. I have the mandate I have the concern of the landowners, that we will not support this mining company."

Sipiriano Nariva says they are planning to meet the interim prime minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama to ask him to stop the project.