Fiji Museum Urges Halt to Sigatoka Iron Sands Mining Project

The Fiji Museum called on government ministers to halt the proposed Sigatoka Iron Sands Mining Project, which involves mining magnetite iron sands at the mouth of the Sigatoka River. The Fiji Museum CEO, Armando Lowe, stated that the matter was pressing, noting that the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project by Magma Mines Pte Ltd was open for public review, with submissions closing soon. Landowners of Tikina o Nasigatoka also appealed to the Prime Minister to cancel the special prospecting licence due to its proximity to heritage sites.

The project, which is moving toward obtaining a Mining Lease, could lead to irreversible consequences for Fiji’s heritage if the current review window closes. The Fiji Museum noted that the richest archaeological deposits are located near the river mouth, outside the boundaries of the National Park.