THE SUBSIDIZATION OF EMPEROR MINES LIMITED

Authors

Roman Grynberg, University of the South Pacific, Suva
Peter Fulcher, University of the South Pacific, Suva
Peter Dryden, University of the South Pacific, Suva

Abstract

The relationship existing between the Emperor group of companies and the government of Fiji is examined over a forty-year period. During a substantial part of this time the company has been subsidized by the state. Focus is on one particular period, beginning in the early 1980s when the company received taxfree status for its gold-mining operations in Fiji. The study attempts to quantify the value of subsidies offered to Emperor Mines Limited under the terms of the Vatukoula tax agreement between the state and the mining company. The authors argue that by the standards of gold-mining taxation agreements in developing as well as developed countries an extraordinary, if not unique, tax arrangement has been possible in Fiji. The tax arrangement with Emperor will also have implications for other possible mining operations in Fiji.

Recommended Citation

Grynberg, Roman; Fulcher, Peter; and Dryden, Peter (1997) "THE SUBSIDIZATION OF EMPEROR MINES LIMITED," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 20: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol20/iss2/6