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27-517: Ba ( Fijian pronunciation: [ᵐba] ) is a district situated on the north western part of the island of Viti Levu in Fiji . The name Ba is also used for a province , a tikina (a native Fijian administrative region comprising several villages), a town and a river . Ba district comprises the areas surrounding Ba Town and includes the Fijian administrative tikinas of Ba and Magodro. Ba district

54-675: A tectonically complex area between the Australian Plate and the Pacific Plate . The Fiji Platform lies in a zone bordered by active extension fault lines, around which most of the shallow earthquakes in the area have been centred. These fault lines are: the Fiji Fracture Zone (FFZ) to the north; the 176° Extension Zone (176°E EZ) to the west; and the Hunter Fracture Zone (HFZ) and Lau Ridge to

81-531: A basic level was available for most employees, emphasizing potable water and sanitation. Industrial safety was promoted by the companies, while medical services (with government support) were provided in the community. Primary and secondary educational services were supported variously by government, industry and religious groups. Reflecting the culture of British colonialism , all services were of an uneven standard and aligned along racial, cultural and religious lines. Despite these seemingly auspicious beginnings,

108-627: Is a gold mining settlement in Fiji , 9 km inland from the Town of Tavua on the island of Viti Levu . Vatukoula may be viewed historically as the cradle of the modern gold mining industry in Fiji. The discovery of gold in the Tavua district is attributed to Baron de Este, who found it in the Nasivi River in 1872. Some 20 years later, New Zealand prospector Fielding, began a systematic search along

135-553: Is archaeological evidence contradicting this account. Ferry service, provided by the Patterson Brothers Shipping Company , connects Viti Levu to the rest of the islands. Nausori International Airport is on the main island. It has service on 3 domestic commercial passenger airlines. Vatukoula Vatukoula ( Fijian pronunciation: [βatukɔu̯la] ; meaning "gold rock" in Fijian)

162-546: Is currently producing gold, albeit now on a smaller scale. The history and impact of these events have also been studied by a team from the University of Vermont , serving as the basis for a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources. As noted in this thesis, the event caused hardship to many, but may serve as an important opportunity for reflection on the sustainability of mining as a means of development, and

189-422: Is home to Fiji’s tropical moist forests . The western side (colloquially called the "burning west") is in the mountain range's rain shadow and is noticeably drier; it is home to Fiji’s tropical dry forests . Accordingly, sugar cane production thrives in the west, while a dairy industry is being developed in the east. Fiji's largest cattle ranch, with 7000 head of cattle on 70 square kilometres (17,000 acres),

216-545: Is in Yaqara, midway between Tavua and Rakiraki . The island of Viti Levu is the only known home of one of the world's largest insects, the Giant Fijian long-horned beetle . The island is susceptible to the effects of climate change. It is estimated that the compound effects of sea level rise and storm surge may result in a temporary relocation of a relatively high numbers of the inhabitants of Viti Levu, predominantly

243-893: Is in the Western Division . Ba is a sugar cane growing district and sugar cane farming and employment in the Ba Sugar Mill are the main areas of employment. The Sugar Mill began crushing since 1886 by a New Zealand Sugar Company. (1).80 percent of the residents of Ba District are of Indian origin. The Ba District soccer team is the most successful soccer team in Fiji. Some prominent people who originated from Ba are Parmanand Singh , Sidiq Koya , R. D. Patel , Narsi Raniga , Vinod Patel , Vijay R. Singh , James Shankar Singh , Parveen Bala , Davendra Singh , Anirudh Singh and Anand Singh . 17°32′00″S 177°40′59″E  /  17.5333°S 177.6830°E  / -17.5333; 177.6830 Viti Levu Fiji lies in

270-624: The air pollution caused by sulphur emissions. The Emperor Mines Limited (EML) shut down on 5 December 2006 due to low price of gold and the high level of capital required to sustain the mining operation. It sold its operations to Westech International, a private company based in Australia which, in turn, sold the mine to River Diamonds Plc (later renamed Vatukoula Gold Mines Plc), a Chinese company. The mine's closure took place with virtually no warning, leaving 1,760 former employees, their families, local businesses, and local officials to deal with

297-801: The mineralization (geology) of Fiji was systematically reviewed by a successor, Mines Inspector James FA Taylor, in 1953. And in the same year, a more detailed review of the geology of the Vatukoula Goldfield (also known as the Tavua Goldfield) was published by A Blatchford, geologist for the Emperor Gold Mining Company Ltd.; mining and milling operations were also reviewed in detail by their respective company superintendents. Both open-pit and underground mining were carried out in Vatukoula. By 1952,

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324-525: The Government, despite living in unsanitary and over-crowded houses to which the Government has not provided basic services. They have also supported the company through their hard labour and dedication and even through salary sacrifices. The people of Vatukoula should expect immediate and favourable treatment from their Government and the company in their hour of need. " The mine re-opened in April 2008 and

351-456: The Nasivi river. However, discovery of gold in commercial quantities in 1932 at Vatukoula, is attributed to Scottish prospector Bill Borthwick. A " gold rush " ensued – "pegs denoting claims went up everywhere" – from all the Fiji islands, "hundreds of people – villagers, shopkeepers and city dwellers – arrived at the diggings". In 1934, a new Mining Ordinance to regulate the fledgling industry

378-591: The Suva group are found mainly in the river valleys, such as those formed by the Nadi River and Navua River . The Plio- Pleistocene Mba group is found in the northern portion of the island. It consists of porphyritic basalt flows and volcaniclastics, grading into greywacke . Geographically, it includes the peaks of Koroyanitu (at 3921 feet), Malua (at 3294 feet), Monavatu (at 3708 feet), Mount Tomanivi (at 4341 feet), and Ndelamendamu (at 2540 feet). It extends along

405-581: The east. The oldest rocks on the island are those formed during the Eocene and Early Miocene epochs that belong to the Wainimala group . The lower portion of the group is made up of volcanic flows and volcaniclastics , which grade from basalt to trachyte and rhyolite . Geographically, this group is found south of Nadi , including on the peaks of Koromba (at 3528 feet high) and Natambumgguto (at 1242 feet high), and down to Sigatoka . From Sigatoka,

432-570: The eastern coast, almost to Nausori, and includes the Emperor Mine near Vatukoula . Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji — home to 70% of the population (about 600,000 people) — and is the hub of the entire Fijian archipelago. It measures 146 kilometres (91 mi) long and 106 kilometres (66 mi) wide, and has an area of 10,389 square kilometres (4,011 sq mi). Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions account for

459-493: The group extends almost all the way to Lodoni, and includes the peaks of Tuvutau (at 3060 feet) and Tikituru (at 3071 feet). Along the southern coast it extends almost to Nausori . The group is intruded by the Tholo Plutonics , which consist of similar-age stocks of tonalite , granodiorite , gabbro and diorite . Mio - Pliocene sandstones , and marl , grading into epiclastics and andesitic Volcanic rocks of

486-470: The island from India as indentured workers between 1879 and 1916), whereas eastern Viti Levu has a high concentration of indigenous Fijians (except in its urban areas, which are more racially diverse). Viti Levu is believed to have been inhabited longer than the island of Vanua Levu , which lies to its north. According to oral tradition, the first Melanesian settlers landed at Vuda Point and established Viseisei as Fiji's first oldest settlement. There

513-499: The mine would provide no funds to the school beyond the end of January 2007. The need for government action was emphasised in the Submission: " The company operating the mine has been the recipient of many financial assistance including grants, soft loans and generous tax concessions from the Fiji government these last many decades. The women and men of the Vatukoula communities have contributed millions of dollars in income taxes to

540-759: The northern and western parts, with an exposure of up to 6.75% of the islands' population in the future. Viti Levu is home to the capital city of Suva , and to nearly three quarters of the population of the Republic of Fiji (about 580,000 people). Other important towns and cities, which are spread out all along the coast, include Ba , Lautoka , Nadi , Nausori , Rakiraki, and Sigatoka . Two other well-known localities are Natadola Beach in Natadola (a luxurious Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa & boutique accommodation at Natadola Beach Resort & Yatule Beach Resort), and Pacific Harbour (a resort centre about 50 kilometers from Suva). A single major road runs around

567-427: The output of New Zealand and the eastern Australian states. The Ordinance also gave rise to a Mines Inspectorate , His Majesty's Colonial Mines Service recruiting Australian Frank T. M. White to set up a Mines Department in Suva. By 1939 White (as Inspector of Mines) initiated a geological survey of Viti Levu, resulting in Fiji's first geological survey map, published in 1943. Citing and building on this work,

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594-589: The perimeter of Viti Levu. Eight of Fiji's fourteen Provinces are in Viti Levu. The Provinces of Ba , Nadroga-Navosa , and Ra comprise the Western Division , while Naitasiri , Namosi , Rewa , Serua , and Tailevu form the Central Division . The political dynamics of western Viti Levu are somewhat different from those of eastern Viti Levu, in part because western Vitu Levu has a high concentration of Indo-Fijians (many of whose ancestors came to

621-691: The population of Vatukoula had reached approximately 4,500 people, second largest in the Colony of Fiji. The largest group was indigenous Fijian , while other groups included Pacific Islanders , Indian, Chinese, European, and people of mixed origins. About a third were employed directly in mining (as miners, truckers, equipment and locomotive operators, drivers, fitters and turners, welders, blacksmiths, carpenters, electricians, mill operators, foremen, first aid attendants, clerks etc.). The remainder comprised their dependents, as well as tradespeople, storekeepers, teachers, police and public service officials. Housing at

648-402: The somewhat rugged terrain of the island, which is divided into roughly equal halves by a mountain range that runs north to south. The centre of the island is forested and includes the nation's highest peak Mount Tomanivi (otherwise known as Mount Victoria), which rises to 1,324 metres (4,344 ft). The eastern side of the island experiences heavy rainfall, particularly in the mountains, and

675-406: The subsequent history of Vatukoula has been fraught with challenges, especially for the local population dependent on this single industry town for their source of livelihood. Over the years, there have been accumulating concerns and periodic conflicts regarding: wages, safety practices, housing conditions, gender inequities, associated social problems, and the mine's environmental impact, particularly

702-736: The sudden disappearance of their livelihoods without the benefit of significant social planning. The severity of their situation is apparent from a Submission to the EGM Closure Negotiating Committee in support of the Vatukoula Communities, dated 19 January 2007. The following vignettes from the Submission reveals the anguish felt by community members: " I was in tears. These innocent children! " Mrs Dominika Lutua, Principal of Goldfields School, describing her reaction when told on 6 December 2006 that

729-643: Was introduced by the British colonial administration. In the same year, the Emperor Gold Mining Company Ltd. established its operations in Vatukoula, followed in 1935 by the Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, N.L., and then by Fiji Mines Development Ltd. (later to become Dolphin Mines. Ltd.). These developments ushered in a "mining boom" for Fiji, with gold production rising more than a hundred-fold, from 931.4 oz in 1934 to 107,788.5 oz in 1939, an order of magnitude then comparable to

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