MINING IN FIJI

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 122, 16 February 1935, Page 7

MINING IN FIJI

Government Will Assist Genuine Enterprise PREVENTING SPECULATION (Received February 15, 7.5 p.m.) Suva, February 15. An official statement has been issued to the effect that the Fiji Government will assist all genuine mining enterprise. It intends to prevent any speculation which will tend to damage the colony’s good name. At present prospecting licenses are fixed for a term of two years and cannot be renewed. It is. proposed to amend the law and issue licenses on such terms as the Government may think fit. The licenses 'will not be transferable, and the holder has a prior right to a' mining lease, but a lease will not be granted unless there is evidence of gold in payable quantities and the applicant commands sufficient working capital. Tlie Government states that of 16 prospecting licenses at Tavua one prospector has so far proved values sufficient for the issue of leases. All existing Tavua licenses expire in June, are not renewable, and cannot be transferred except with the consent of the Government. A Government warning has been issued that parties should ascertain the conditions prior to concluding agreements and no trafficking in applications for prospecting licenses will under any circumstances be recognised. The Government will consider the allotment of Tavua areas after June 1.

The Government intends to prevent the get-rich-quick type of speculation and promoters are reminded that companies and conditions must be approved by the Government. The Government is of opinion that no-liability companies are undesirable.