A total of 123 members of the Nasomo Landowners Trust each got $491.20 today (24th July 2020). This is the 8th payout for the fair share of mineral royalties from the Government.

While speaking at the handover, the Hon. Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources, Jone Usamate said that this payout is the result of gold and silver mined from beneath Nasomo land for the period between March to May this year. A total of approximately $61,650 to be equitably distributed or shared amongst 123 Nasomo Landowners Trust members.

He said this payout is in accordance to Section 5 of the Fair Share of Mineral Royalties Act 2018 which states that 80% of mineral royalties be given to landowning units or customary fishing rights holders and 20% retained by the State.

Since 2018 to-date, total mineral royalty fair share of $6.5M has been distributed to landowners and landowning units of which approximately $522,000 was paid to the Nasomo Landowners Trust.

The Hon. Minister thanked the Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited for their contribution towards the mining sector especially during this unprecedented time. The mine has made substantial capital investments to modernize its mine infrastructure, improved its underground working conditions and improved its gold recovery and milling process.

The Hon. Minister encouraged all recipients to manage and spend their money wisely.