Fiji Labour Party Calls for Probe into Alleged Unlawful Gold Ore Shipment

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) is calling for a full investigation into what it describes as an attempt to smuggle gold ore concentrate out of Fiji, with 600-700 tonne of the material now stored in containers at a haulage yard in Lautoka without proper approvals.

The FLP alleges that Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited (VGML)** removed the ore without authorization from the Director of Mines, bypassing strict security and regulatory procedures under Fiji’s Mining Regulations.

Normally, all inspections, audits, and royalty assessments must be completed at the mine site before transportation.

In a recent statement, Minister for Mines Filimoni Vosarogo acknowledged that while the Ministry was aware of VGML’s intention to export gold concentrates, no formal application had been submitted before the shipment was moved.

He confirmed that joint inspections by customs, biosecurity, and mining officials are now pending in Lautoka.

The FLP argues that this raises serious concerns about who authorized the shipment if the Director of Mines was unaware.

They are now urging Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to intervene and ensure accountability, questioning why standard gold export procedures were ignored in this instance.

The party maintains that, had it not exposed the issue, the gold ore concentrates could have been shipped without proper taxation, royalty payments, and certification, potentially costing Fiji millions in lost revenue.