Nawailevu bauxite mine invests $34million to set up local operation

THE Nawailevu bauxite mine in Bua has invested about $34million ($US20million) into the economy to set up local operation, says mine manager Basilio Vanuaca.

He said the mine was expected to excavate a million tonnes of bauxite over the next two years.

The total cost includes assistance to the local community in Bua ù from educating the children, employment opportunities, church obligations and other activities for development purposes.

Mr Vanuaca said the costs included paying freight and taxes for machinery and trucks brought in from China for mining work.

"We began operations in January this year after the mine lease was given to Aurum Exploration last year," he said.

Mr Vanuaca said a ship from China arrived last week and loading of bauxite had started at the jetty in Navakasiga.

He said two barges arrived earlier this year from China would transport 2000 tonnes each of bauxite to load onto the ship.

Mr Vanuaca said the ship would take about 17 to 20 days to sail from the Bua waters to China to offload the 60,000 tonnes of bauxite per shipment per month.

He said one of the social obligations by his team was repairing the church at Nawailevu which cost them $16,000.

"We funded the upgrading work from painting to replacing the roof and renovating the whole church.

"Education remains a priority for us when it comes to helping the locals and it is a huge project ù assisting locals with academic opportunities."

The $34m has also been used on the construction of new roads and the jetty in Navakasiga.