The company approved to conduct extraction work on Mount Kasi on Vanua Levu is expected to be made known soon.

Minister for Land and Mineral Resources Filimoni Vosarogo said the Director Lands Dr Raijeli Taga would issue a directive to that effect soon.

“She is expected to make an announcement soon,” Mr Vosarogo said.

He said he’s had many constructive and positive meetings with the landowners.

“I think we’ve reached a point where the landowners are comfortable with the decision that the ministry will make about Mount Kasi.”

He said no mining had yet to take place at Mount Kasi.

“It is at the special prospecting licence stage and not mining.”

Last year, the Vatukoula Gold Mines Pte Ltd (VGML) applied for a special prospecting licence to start work at the site. This after two years after winning a tender to mine at the Mount Kasi on Vanua Levu.

However, the landowners had indicated preference for the Australian company and had signed a partnership with them.

VGML had applied for a special prospecting licence on 59,526 hectares of land in the districts of Kubulau, Wainunu, Wailevu, Sasa, and in the provinces of Bua, Cakaudrove, and Macuata.