The illegal and treasonous "minista" (and ALP left-over in the cabinet who is ever anxious to justify his presence), Netani Sukanaivalu in charge of lands and minerals is ecstatic over the new cash-cow of mineral resources.
Sukanaivalu is hedging his bets that Fiji's mineral resources could take-over the tourism industry in terms of foreign exchange earnings.
Too bad though that in order to realize this pipe-dream, access to land and sea all need consent from We the People, that is the land and i qoliqoli owners.
Bainimarama as the self-imposed incoming Melanesian Spearhead Group Chair only has to look across the ditch to understand just how unsuccessful the idea of deep-sea mining is taking root with our neighbours.
More importantly, the impacts on the ocean will be closely monitored by global scientists.
Fundamentally it's the same old hype that we heard way back then, when gold was be-all and end-all for Fiji's economy.
New biggest income earner
Maciu Malo
Monday, January 31, 2011
MINERAL resources are set to surpass tourism as the biggest income earner for the nation.
Lands and Mineral Resources Minister Netani Sukanaivalu, told The Fiji Times, the booming mineral resources industry would rake in billions of dollars annually for the next 20 to 30 years.
He said the success of the Namosi gold and copper mines, the Vatukoula gold mine, coupled with deep sea exploration in Naselai waters, would bring in much needed revenue for the Government.
"I believe mineral resources are our future," he said.
"It's going to be a billion dollar empire and our job in the Ministry for Lands and Resources is to match the mining sector development within the next four years or so. We support tourism but right now mineral is running ahead of tourism."
Mr Sukanaivalu said the Tuvatu Gold Mine and the black sand in the Ba delta would soon be opened for business.
He said oil and gas exploration would also get under way in five months time.
"We have three companies that are applying for an exploration licence to mine our deep sea and we have the oil exploration right now and they will start drilling in June or July at Naselai.
"That will cut our supply to 30-50 per cent of gas and oil."
He said his ministry needed to prepare itself in terms of manpower and resources. Thirteen investors have shown interest to mine at Mount Kasi.
Mr Sukanaivalu said the committee had been screening all applicants and would submit their recommendations to the ministry.
"The ministry will then send its final recommendation for the Prime Minister to make the final decision," he said.
1 comment:
From the reports so far about drilling it's only exploration.
There has to be enough oil or gas under the seabed to be worth drilling.
If there is any it could be a matter of finding it and capping the wells and coming back to it in 3-5 years maybe even longer the price of oil is still low and nowhere near the hi of around $130 a barrel of 2007-08.
Post a Comment