Deep sea mineral exploration can become a major revenue earner for the nation.

Lands and Mineral Resources Permanent Secretary Lt. Col Neumi Leweni made the comments following the gazetting of the revised fees schedule for deep sea mineral exploration.

The Mining Amendment Decree was gazetted in July 2010.

Leweni says this new fee schedule will give investors a competitive fee structure that aims to promote deep sea mineral exploration in Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone.

He adds what this essentially means is that there will be more revenue for government and the nation, adding at the same time, the new fee structure will also enable Fiji to be more comparable and competitive with countries like Papua New Guinea and Tonga that are currently engaged in similar exploration activities.


Story by: Ronal Deo