Miners to be rehabilitated

04/03/2010

Following the closure of the Emperor Mines Ltd in 2006, most of the workers were made redundant. This raised concerns over the welfare of the workers and their families with most of them facing difficulties sending their children to school and finding employment.

Westech Gold Pty Ltd bought the company in March 2007 and sold it to a UK based company known as Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd. More than 690 workers were re-employed but redundant workers sought compensation. The action taken - The Vatukoula Gold Mine signed a Deed of Settlement with Government in 2009 and payments of assistance to all redundant workers will soon progress through the Vatukoula Social Assistance Trust Fund.
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Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources, Mrs Maria Matavewa

The Permanent Secretary for Lands and Mineral Resources Mrs Maria Matavewa outlined the conditions of the Deed of Settlement:
  • Assistance would be given to those that were never re-employed by the company;
  • The wives of deceased former employees are also covered under the trust fund;
  • The assistance from this fund will not benefit any of the employees, who were re-employed by the mine and who are expecting to be re-employed, have been terminated, dismissed or have left their employment; and
  • Any potential beneficiaries living on the mining lease property will not be entitled to receive any benefits from this assistance fund unless and until they have vacated the mining lease properties.
The Deed would be administered by the trustees and the nominees of the beneficiaries after an election is held in consultation with the district office involving the Commissioner Western and District officer Ba and Tavua.

The first contribution is expcted to commence 10th March with a deposit of $1.6 million from the fund, which would be spread to the next five years.

"In total the deed would consist of $6 million by the Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd and we hope they would be able to provide these funds to the beneficiaries and assist them," Mrs Matavewa said.

The PS for Lands and Mineral Resources said that the whole purpose of the fund is to relocate and assist families that were disadvantaged by the closure of the mine.