Landowners to Receive 80% of Resource Royalties Under New Regulations

Owners of customary fishing rights will now receive 80 per cent of royalties collected from the extraction of natural resources on State land under new regulations introduced by the Coalition Government.

The changes, announced by the Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Filimoni Vosarogo, mark a significant shift in how royalties from the extraction of sand, gravel, clay, soil, rock, topsoil, river spalls and sand from drainage and irrigation dump sites are distributed.

Under the new regulations, 80 per cent of all royalties collected from these materials will be paid directly to the owners of customary fishing rights, while the remaining 20 per cent will be retained by the State.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the changes reflect the Government's commitment to ensuring that those who have traditionally protected and cared for Fiji's natural resources receive a greater share of the benefits derived from their use.

The revised royalty rates are:

Sand and gravel – $10.40 per cubic metre

Clay and soil – $6.50 per cubic metre

Rock – $5.21 per cubic metre

Topsoil – $38.99 per cubic metre

River spalls – $7.80 per cubic metre

Sand from drainage and irrigation dump sites – $8.00 per cubic metre

The regulations also require royalty rates to be reviewed every five years to ensure they remain fair and reflect prevailing market conditions.

The Government says the changes are intended to strengthen benefits for customary fishing rights owners while supporting the responsible management and sustainable use of Fiji's natural resources.

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