More than 10,000 signatures have been submitted through petitions as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the proposed Sigatoka Iron Sands Project at Kulukulu in Nadroga.
The Department of Environment confirmed that as of 7pm yesterday, it had received paper petitions carrying 2,483 signatures and online petitions with approximately 7,600 signatures.
In addition, 306 written submissions were received through hard copies and emails during the 21-day public review period.
The Department said all submissions and petitions received within the review period would form part of the official assessment record and be considered before a decision is made on the proposed mining development.
“We assure you that every submission and petition received within the review period forms part of the official assessment record and will be considered accordingly,” the Department said in a statement.
The EIA report for the proposed Sigatoka Iron Sands Project, identified as SPL 1495, was made available for public inspection at five locations.
These included the Department of Environment offices in Suva and Lautoka, Sigatoka Town Council, the Nadroga/Navosa Provincial Council and Kulukulu Police Station.
However, the Department recorded only 39 viewings of the report across the five locations during the review period.
Public consultations on the proposed project are scheduled for November 6 and 7.
Following the consultations, a Technical Review Committee will assess the EIA report, public submissions, petitions and feedback gathered during the consultation process.
The committee will include representatives from relevant government agencies, academic institutions and technical organisations, with independent specialists engaged where necessary.
Its findings and recommendations will then be submitted to the Director of Environment for a final decision.
The Department said the Director could approve the EIA report subject to conditions or reject it under the Environment Management Act and relevant regulations.
Any person dissatisfied with the decision may appeal to the Environment Tribunal.
“The Department remains committed to a transparent, robust and participatory process in which all interested parties have the opportunity to be heard before any decision is made,” the statement said.
The Department thanked landowners, communities, organisations, government agencies and members of the public who participated in the review process.
