Fiji's Mineral Resources Department is reported to have confirmed the discovery of high grade gold in Wainikoro in the north east of Vanua Levu.
The Fiji Times reports the director Malakai Finau as saying the zones discovered are at 11.6 grams per tonne but more in-depth exploration work needs to be done.
He says a company that has been prospecting in the area is seeking an extension to its licence, which expires at the end of the year.
Local people are reported to be happy about the find and to be working on an agreement with the company before it begins exploration work.
Mr Finau says it is important to get everything right in the exploration phase because the whole investment for later development work, such as environmental and the feasibility studies, will be based on the initial phase.
