Villagers in Fiji to invest in bauxite mining project for the betterment of the community

As an encouraging step towards the building of a bauxite mining industry in Bua and the development of infrastructure around the project, villagers have agreed to invest in a proposed bauxite project.

A large sum of $1.8 million is to be invested for the third bauxite mine in Bua. Members of the yavusa Maururu of Nadua Village and land owners that have rented their land for the new bauxite mine at Wainunu have agreed to invest most of the funds on the bauxite mine so that they can secure the betterment of the future generation.


As Yavusa head Inosi Masivava said, they were working with the iTaukei Land Trust Board to come to a conclusion on the matter.

"We will invest $1m and we have discussed options for investment, but it has to happen because our decisions today will have an impact on our future generations," he said.

"All 22 members of our yavusa have agreed to this because we know that investing money increases our savings," he added.

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Apart from the fund for investment in the mine, the yavusa has also set aside $600,000 for improved housing project for the community. Mr Masivava said a few members had already built, extended and renovated their houses using the fund shares. They said they could not do it because there was scarcity of fund. But now the situation has improved and they can afford better lifestyle.

"It's encouraging and great to see the positive changes happening within our yavusa, especially with our members," he said.

Mr Masivava said it would take some time for the bauxite mining to start in their land but, the preparation has started.