Find Mining expertise in Tuvalu

There is no commercial mining in Tuvalu.

Tuvaluans have, throughout the years, been employed overseas in Nauru in the Phosphate mining industry. However, as phosphate resources in Nauru are being quickly used up, Nauru has begun the process of repatriating these workers.

Artisan quarrying for aggregates is a widespread activity on Fongafale with over more than half of all households collecting sand, gravel and rocks during the year. The majority of aggregate collection is carried out by hand, or by using simple shovels, and most materials collected by households are used for domestic purposes.

In 2007, the Public Works Department of the government of Tuvalu obtained a permit to extract gravel. While the majority of aggregate demand comprises gravel for households, and government and development agencies, material is also needed to fill borrow pits and low lying areas in order to help avert the problem of land erosion and flooding. In 2007, 90 aggregate mining licenses were issued to Tuvaluan households for 5,642 bags of gravel, 20 bags of sand and 20.25 truckloads of stone. These license fees earned total revenue of US$11,828.

A few large-scale projects have emerged throughout the years specialising in the importation of building materials. While the materials are generally too expensive for the majority of people living in Tuvalu, these imports are necessary as local supplies are insufficient to meet construction needs. They come mainly from Fiji based companies such as R.C Manubhai Co. Ltd, Suncourt Hardware and Standard Concrete Industries.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Environment is responsible for overseeing the extractives industry in Tuvalu.

Legislation for the regulation of the industry includes the Mineral Development Licensing Ordinance of 1977, which outlines the provisions for the granting of licences for the exploration on mineral deposits. According to the ordinance, no mining activities are permitted except under the authority of such a licence.