Nationwide public consultations will be held in March 2026 as the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, together with the Fiji Law Reform Commission, begins a comprehensive review of Fiji’s Mining Act 1965 and Quarries Act 1939.
The review aims to assess whether the two Acts remain adequate, effective and relevant, and to recommend reforms to modernise Fiji’s legislative framework for mineral exploration, mining and quarry management.
According to the consultation brief, the review will focus on strengthening transparency, accountability and efficiency in the administration of mining rights, leases and licences, while ensuring equitable access to land and stronger protection of the public interest. It also seeks to promote sustainable land use, environmental stewardship, and address outdated provisions, legal gaps and inconsistencies in the current laws.
Key objectives include identifying legal, policy and institutional challenges in implementation, benchmarking Fiji’s laws against international best practice in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, and engaging widely with stakeholders to gather feedback.
The review will also consider whether the Acts should be amalgamated, amended, or partially repealed to better reflect modern governance, sustainability and development needs.
Members of the public, landowners, industry stakeholders, environmental groups and community representatives are encouraged to participate and share their views.
The Ministry says public input will play a critical role in shaping reforms that balance economic development, environmental protection and community interests.
The consultation will end in July.
