Mineral Resources Department

The Mineral Resources Department (MRD) is one of the two Departments administered through the portfolio of the Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources. It has statutory functions through the Mining Division that regulates the mineral sector which includes all minerals whether of high or low value. This also covers whether the minerals are terrestrial or offshore and extractive activities like quarrying. In addition to this, the Environment Division of the ministry is based at MRD to assist in regulatory functions associated and mandated under the sustainable development policies of government such as the Green growth Framework. The department also manages the effective development of groundwater resources and the provision of clean safe drinking water through its reticulation programs. Through the initiative of the government, the Department in 2016 has extended its groundwater development work to reticulation of groundwater from the borehole to the households. This is a milestone achieved as it has enabled all relevant government agencies to work together to successfully achieve one of the government’s manifesto. Through its geological survey division, mapping and geoscience/geospatial information is collated pertaining to mineral tenements and prospective sites around Fiji. In conjunction with this work, the division also provides expert advice on geotechnical assessments and geological stability of groundworks for state lands development. In lie with this, the division was an instrumental component with NDMO in the relocation program for villages affected by TC Winston and climate change. Other services provided by the department is the 24/7 monitoring of seismic and tsunami events and timely dissemination of such information to the stakeholders and general public awareness. The dissemination of accurate and timely public awareness and response plan is one of the key roles of this unit which is being staffed with qualified and experienced seismologists. In addition, geochemical analyses, geoscience information and other supporting services are also provided for the development and regulation of the mineral sector, groundwater provision, geo-hazard assessments and sustainable development practices of such resources.

Additional Info

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contact-email	dmd@govnet.gov.fj