DOME Gold Mines has rejected any claims that it would not be financially viable to undertake the proposed Sigatoka Iron Sands Project.
Responding to this newspaper, the Australian company highlighted its investment in Fiji since beginning its operations in 2009 have reached over $70million.
“Our investors have continued to support Dome (and its subsidiaries in Fiji) since the public listing of the Company on the ASX (Australian Stock Exchange) in October 2013,” the statement said.
“There is no reason to believe this support will not continue assuming Fiji and its people welcome their investment and genuine interest in development of the country.
“Magma Mines and its parent company Dome Mines has already invested in excess of $F70million over the years and the company’s flagship project is to develop the Sigatoka Iron Sands resource into a valuable asset for the local community, Fiji and the company’s investors.”
The company also revealed its proposed investment on the Sigatoka Iron Sands project could fall between $40m and $50m while maintaining that its proposal included rehabilitation plans for the freehold land.
“All modern mines have forward plans for complete rehabilitation of land that is disturbed during the operation stage.
“There are many examples of this where coastal areas were mined and returned to productive use.
“The freehold landowners want to have their properties returned in a condition that they can then develop in the future, and the final form of the area will be agreed to by the owners of the land which is freehold title.
“The operations will be in line with approval conditions from Department of Environment and Mineral Resources Department who have oversight of this and will approve all final mining plans.”
