Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources

Fiji Mineral Resources Department

MINERAL POLICY - Sect. 6 : Housing, Regional Impacts

Section 6 - Policies on Housing, Social and Regional Impacts

General Principles

6.1 In many developing countries medium and large scale mineral developments are often accompanied by significant social and cultural impacts. Government sees the creation of a workable social adjustment strategy as arising from a partnership in which investors, government and local groups participate. The terms of this partnership need to be clearly defined from the outset, and should be designed to minimize social/cultural impacts, and ensure that dislocations occur in a gradual and well-planned manner.
6.2 Government believes that addressing the social impacts of a major mining project is the joint responsibility of the government and the project sponsor. Mining companies are encouraged to take a direct interest in community relations and to undertake social initiatives in their own interests. While Government will undertake aggressive social adjustment programs, it also believes that direct participation and input by the mining company must be forthcoming to ensure the success of such programmes.

Specific Policies

6.3 Respect for the customs and cultural traditions of local people is an important element in establishing an enduring relationship between the mine and the resident community. As part of its cultural awareness program, mining companies are expected to identify and preserve all sacred or socially important sites in the mining areas. Furthermore, mining companies should deal with rural Fijian society through traditional village authorities, and through the Ministry of Fijian Affairs, to ensure total support from landowners and area residents.
6.4 Project sponsors are urged to see that all construction and operating personnel undergo a social orientation course about the people and customs of the mining region. Government, through the Mineral Resources Department, and the Ministry of Fijian Affairs, will coordinate the development of the curriculum for this course. The course need not be lengthy or costly but it should leave mine workers with a clear sense of the social institutions and cultural traditions existing beyond the mine gate.
6.5 From early in the exploration phase the project sponsor and Government, through the Ministry of Fijian Affairs, should collaborate on a public information and education program about the anticipated nature and impact of the project. Government is mindful that premature release of information may unduly inflate residents expectations, and will be guided by mining company views on when certain information may appropriately be released. However, the Government of Fiji believes that a regular information flow needs to be established fairly early in the project cycle to avoid misconceptions and unwarranted rumours about potential mine development. Once the project has come into operation, mine management is urged to consider establishing resident liaison committees to facilitate information exchange and to provide residents with a forum for airing their views.
6.6 Government expects mine worker housing to be kept separate from existing villages. While mining companies may not always need to provide housing, they are expected to ensure that suitable affordable housing is available for mine workers. All housing for mine workers must meet the technical specifications as determined by the Development Control Unit within the Department of Town and Country Planning.
6.7 Government sees the provision of health and education as its primary social responsibility. However, mining companies - as good corporate citizens - are encouraged to make a contribution toward basic health and educational facilities for workers (and their families). In the interests of preserving harmonious relations with the area residents, these basic social services should be extended to area residents. Where mine development occurs in proximity to existing social infrastructure facilities, mining company financial support can be reduced.
6.8 Government policy is to discourage the development of squatter communities of unemployed migrants, which often arise around mine sites. . To this end the mining company should try to ensure that all temporary buildings, infrastructure and facilities are removed from the project area as soon as they are no longer needed. Any permanent buildings or other facilities which the mining company wishes to use must be under the company's direct control.
6.9 Mining companies should be aware that Government promotes the employment of local workers from the mining region, to redirect some of the benefits from mine development directly to the local residents. However, residents in many rural areas are not likely to have all the skills required by a new project and, indeed, some rural areas may be hard pressed to meet even the mines unskilled labour needs, without a substantial disruption to rural life. Government policy is to facilitate the employment of area residents at the mine by targeting mine area residents for mine-related study scholarships and training, however, employment of mine area residents is at the discretion of the mining companies.