Vatukoula
Vatukoula (Fijian pronunciation: [βatukɔu̯la]; meaning "gold rock" in Fijian) is a gold mining settlement in Fiji, 9 km inland from the Town of Tavua on the island of Viti Levu.
Colonial history
Vatukoula may be viewed historically as the cradle of the modern gold mining industry in Fiji. The discovery of
In 1934, a new Mining Ordinance to regulate the fledgling industry was introduced by the British colonial administration. In the same year, the Emperor Gold Mining Company Ltd. established its operations in Vatukoula, followed in 1935 by the Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, N.L., and then by Fiji Mines Development Ltd. (later to become Dolphin Mines. Ltd.). These developments ushered in a "mining boom" for Fiji, with gold production rising more than a hundred-fold, from 931.4 oz in 1934 to 107,788.5 oz in 1939, an order of magnitude then comparable to the output of New Zealand and the eastern Australian states.[3]
The Ordinance also gave rise to a Mines
By 1952, the population of Vatukoula had reached approximately 4,500 people, second largest in the Colony of Fiji. The largest group was indigenous
Despite these seemingly auspicious beginnings, the subsequent history of Vatukoula has been fraught with challenges, especially for the local population dependent on this single industry town for their source of livelihood. Over the years, there have been accumulating concerns and periodic conflicts regarding: wages, safety practices, housing conditions, gender inequities, associated social problems, and the mine's environmental impact, particularly the
History Post-Independence (1970)
The Emperor Mines Limited (EML) shut down on 5 December 2006 due to low price of gold and the high level of capital required to sustain the mining operation. It sold its operations to Westech International, a private company based in Australia which, in turn, sold the mine to River Diamonds Plc (later renamed Vatukoula Gold Mines Plc), a Chinese company.[10] The mine's closure took place with virtually no warning, leaving 1,760 former employees, their families, local businesses, and local officials to deal with the sudden disappearance of their livelihoods without the benefit of significant social planning. The severity of their situation is apparent from a Submission to the EGM Closure Negotiating Committee in support of the Vatukoula Communities, dated 19 January 2007.[11]
The following vignettes from the Submission reveals the anguish felt by community members:
"I was in tears. These innocent children!" Mrs Dominika Lutua, Principal of Goldfields School, describing her reaction when told on 6 December 2006 that the mine would provide no funds to the school beyond the end of January 2007.
The need for government action was emphasised in the Submission: "The company operating the mine has been the recipient of many financial assistance including grants, soft loans and generous tax concessions from the Fiji government these last many decades. The women and men of the Vatukoula communities have contributed millions of dollars in income taxes to the Government, despite living in unsanitary and over-crowded houses to which the Government has not provided basic services. They have also supported the company through their hard labour and dedication and even through salary sacrifices. The people of Vatukoula should expect immediate and favourable treatment from their Government and the company in their hour of need."
The mine re-opened in April 2008 and is currently producing gold, albeit now on a smaller scale. The history and impact of these events have also been studied by a team from the University of Vermont, serving as the basis for a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources. As noted in this thesis,[12] the event caused hardship to many, but may serve as an important opportunity for reflection on the sustainability of mining as a means of development, and the risks and benefits that accompany such development activities.
References
- ^ Whippy F. Fiji Gold Mine Dying with Mine Closure. In: Pacific Islands Report, Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center, University of Hawai‘i. 2009 Fiji Times Online http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2009/June/06-01-ft.htm (Accessed 10 August 2015)
- ^ Gravelle K. Fiji's Times – A History of Fiji. Old Bill opened a door to fortune. A Fiji Times Project First Published 1979; reprinted version 1986. Chapter 43, pages 213–217. Suva, Fiji.
- ^ White FTM. Prospecting in Fiji. Read 12 August 1940. Transactions and Proceedings of the Fiji Society of Science and Industry. (11 pages) Vol 2 – 1940–1944. Suva, Fiji.
- ^ White F. Miner with a Heart of Gold: biography of a mineral science and engineering educator. Friesen Press, Victoria. 2020. ISBN 978-1-5255-7765-9 (Hardcover) 978-1-5255-7766-6 (Paperback) 978-1-5255-7767-3 (eBook)
- ^ Taylor JFA. Notes on Geology and Mineralization in Fiji. Proceedings Nos 168–169, pages 1–11. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.
- ^ Blatchford A. Geology of the Tavua Goldfield, Viti Levu, Fiji. Proceedings Nos 168–169, pages 13–51. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.
- ^ Mitchell DT. A General Description of Mining Operations at Vatukoula, Fiji. Proceedings Nos 168–169, pages 53–93. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.
- ^ Steel AJ. Milling Practice at Emperor Combined Mill. Proceedings Nos 168–169, pages 95–159. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.
- ^ Yarrow RH. A General Description of Community Life and safety Work in Vatukoula, Fiji. pages 162–200. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.
- ^ Vatukoula Mine
- ^ Submission to the EGM Closure Negotiating Committee in support of the Vatukoula Communities. 19 January 2007. http://api.ning.com/files/6mkD5JdL41lnDY-aEMk2iMarQuzGrIlLPoY7LcDX-f*YUUa-2CszQQkXhpaN*JHe4dUDhwinpPs5X9DrQthk7TVzpiwBKiK6/OAusVatukoulaClosureSubmission0107.pdf (accessed 25 July 2015)
- ^ Ackley M. Evaluating Environmental Risks in Mining: a Perceptual Study. at the Vatukuola Gold Mine in Fiji.In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Specializing in Natural Resources. May 2008.https://www.scribd.com/document/78729409/Mary-Ackley-MSc-Thesis-University-of-Vermont-May-2008-Evaluating-Env-Risks-in-Mining-A-Perceptual-Study-at-Vatukoula-Gold-Mine (accessed 19 August 2018)