Vatukoula

The discovery of gold in the Tavua district is attributed to Baron de Este, who found it in the Nasivi River in 1872.

[2] 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".

Citing and building on this work, the mineralization (geology) of Fiji was systematically reviewed by a successor, Mines Inspector James FA Taylor, in 1953.

[9] Despite these seemingly auspicious beginnings, 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 the air pollution caused by sulphur emissions.

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 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.