A CANADIAN mining company that spent more than $100million over the past nine years searching for gold deposits in the hills of Sabeto has been granted a mining lease.
Tuvatu Gold Mine project manager Steven Mann said the projected revenue from the Tuvatu Gold Mine was more than $900million.
"We have a workforce in excess of 200 local workers, not including associated project contractors and service providers," he said.
"We only have a handful of expats working in this mine because Fiji has all the people that we need. The company is planning that Tuvatu will be operating for many years into the future for the benefit of the people of Fiji."
Lion One Metals Ltd founder and chairman Walter Berukoff said he was excited about the future of the goldmine.
"I came here in 2007 when my private company acquired the assets of the Emperor Gold Mine in Vatukoula and after the course of 18 months, I could see that Tuvatu was the real jewel of the crown," he said.
"We are happy to be working with a Government and people who care so much for their land."
While handing over the licence, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the new goldmine would contribute to the growth of the mining sector and the country's economy.
"The Fiji Mining and Quarrying sector has accounted for about 1.2 per cent of GDP since 2011," he said. Even with the decline of production in 2012 and 2013 and low prices because of low metal prices, gold exports have remained strong since 2013 at around $101.1million a year.
"Gold production from the Tuvatu Gold Mine will add to that in the years to come."
(I highlited the 'many years in the future part. I thought we already had the lease--oh well, got it now)