Fiji’s Lands and Mineral Resources Ministry has issued two special prospecting licenses to Chinese mining company Ding Jing Mining Pty Ltd more than a year after local residents raised objections to the move.
It comes amid concerns of Beijing’s ongoing influence in the Pacific following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s tour of eight Pacific nations.
In a statement published on June 17, the ministry confirmed that a special prospecting license had been granted to Ding Jing to prospect Vuda in Lautoka—north west of the island—and the other license to prospect Rakiraki—to the north in Ra province….