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Vatukoula (meaning "gold rock" in Fijian), is a gold mining settlement in Fiji, 9 kilometers inland from the Town of Tavua on Viti Levu, the main Fiji island (home to the national capital Suva and its international airport Nadi). == Colonial History == Vatukoula may be viewed historically as the cradle of the modern gold mining industry in Fiji. The discovery of gold in the Tavua district is attributed to Baron de Este, who found it in the Nasivi River in 1872.〔Whippy F. Fiji Gold Mine Dying with Mine Closure. In: Pacific Islands Report, Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center, University of Hawai‘i. 2009 Fiji Times Online http://archives.pireport.org/archive/2009/June/06-01-ft.htm (Accessed August 10, 2015)〕 Some 20 years later, New Zealand prospector Fielding, began a systematic search along the Nasivi river. However, discovery of gold in commercial quantities in 1932 at Vatukoula, is attributed to Scottish prospector Bill Borthwick.〔Gravelle K. Fiji's Times - A History of Fiji. Old Bill opened a door to fortune. A Fiji Times Project First Published 1979; reprinted version 1986. Chapter 43, pages 213-217. Suva, Fiji.〕 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". In 1934, a new Mining Ordinance to regulate the fledgling industry was introduced by the British colonial administration. In the same year, the Emperor Gold Mining Company Ltd. established its operations in Vatukoula, followed in 1935 by the Loloma (Fiji) Gold Mines, N.L., and then by Fiji Mines Development Ltd. (later to become Dolphin Mines.Ltd.). These developments ushered in a "mining boom"for Fiji, with gold production rising more than a hundred-fold, from 931.4 oz in 1934 to 107,788.5 oz in 1939, an order of magnitude then comparable to the output of New Zealand and the eastern Australian states.〔White FTM. Prospecting in Fiji. Read 12 August 1940. Transactions and Proceedings of the Fiji Society of Science and Industry. (11 pages) Vol 2 - 1940-1944. Suva, Fiji.〕 The Ordinance also gave rise to a Mines Inspectorate, His Majesty's Colonial Mines Service recruiting Australian Frank TM White to set up a Mines Department in Suva. By 1939 White (as Inspector of Mines) initiated a geological survey of Viti Levu, resulting in Fiji's first geological survey map, published in 1943. Citing and building on this work, the mineralization (geology) of Fiji was systematically reviewed by a successor, Mines Inspector James FA Taylor, in 1953.〔Taylor JFA. Notes on Geology and Mineralization in Fiji. Proceedings Nos 168-169, pages 1-11. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.〕 And in the same year, a more detailed review of the geology of the Vatukoula Goldfield (also known as the Tavua Goldfield) was published by A Blatchford, geologist for the Emperor Gold Mining Company Ltd.;〔Blatchford A. Geology of the Tavua Goldfield, Viti Levu, Fiji. Proceedings Nos 168-169, pages 13-51. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.〕 mining and milling operations were also reviewed in detail by their respective company superintendents.〔Mitchell DT. A General Description of Mining Operations at Vatukoula, Fiji. Proceedings Nos 168-169, pages 53-93. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.〕〔Steel AJ. Milling Practice at Emperor Combined Mill. Proceedings Nos 168-169, pages 95-159. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.〕 Both open-pit and underground mining were carried out in Vatukoula. By 1952, the population of Vatukoula had reached approximately 4,500 people, second largest in the Colony of Fiji. The largest group was indigenous Fijian, while other groups included Pacific Islanders, Indian, Chinese, European, and people of mixed origins. About a third were employed directly in mining (as miners, truckers, equipment and locomotive operators, drivers, fitters and turners, welders, blacksmiths, carpenters, electricians, mill operators, foremen, first aid attendants, clerks etc.). The remainder comprised their dependents, as well as tradespeople, storekeepers, teachers, police and public service officials. Housing at a basic level was available for most employees, emphasizing potable water and sanitation. Industrial safety was promoted by the companies, while medical services (with government sjupport) were provided in the community. Primary and secondary educational services were supported variously by government, industry and religious groups. Reflecting the culture of British colonialism, all services were of an uneven standard and aligned along racial, cultural and religious lines.〔Yarrow RH. A General Description of Community Life and safety Work In Vatukoula, Fiji. pages 162-200. 31 March-30 June 1953. Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (inc). Melbourne, Australia.〕 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. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Vatukoula」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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