Fiji’s mining sector lacks accredited experts for environment assessment. There were no accredited environment impact assessment personnel on mining in the country, according to unconfirmed minutes of the Mining and Quarry Council’s last meeting. Such limitations compounded companies needed environment assessment. It is not the first time the matter has been raised. Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd had earlier reported associated challenges with technical limitations on the local market. Mineral Resources minister Filimoni Vosarogo said tertiary learning institutes did not have curriculum, let alone a combined one such as mining environmental diploma or degree course. “It is a rare cadre of work,” he said. “Almost everyone or all of those in mining environmental cadre of work have developed their skill set by getting academic qualification overseas or by domestic exposure here or both. “They are only a handful or less and that has been for years because there are not a lot of mining activities in the country so our young people designing their future look for career paths where there are more avenues for employment.” Mining wasn’t one of them. “In any event, it is lucrative job to be in and we would encourage more students to take up specialised environmental mining as a field of interest,” Mr Vosarogo said. Environment authorities did not comment before this edition went to print. Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj