The Kingdom of Tonga has made a significant stride in enhancing its environmental governance by completing a crucial five-day workshop dedicated to formulating guidelines for terrestrial aggregate mining and environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes. This event took place from October 13 to 17, 2025, and was co-organized by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) along with Tonga’s Department of Environment (DoE), facilitated by the consultancy group Care of Our Environment (COOE).
Acting Director of the DoE, Siosina Katoa, highlighted the importance of these guidelines as vital instruments not only for sustainable resource management but also for achieving broader developmental goals, expressing gratitude to SPREP and COOE for their collaboration in this critical initiative.
The workshop brought together over 20 participants from various government sectors, including the DoE, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Police, Department of Geology, and Ministry of Infrastructure. It underscored a coordinated approach to developing the Terrestrial Aggregate Mining Guidelines and creating an operations manual that aligns with existing national legal frameworks, land tenure systems, and institutional configurations.
SPREP’s Deputy Director General, Easter Chu Shing, stressed the essential balance between infrastructure growth and environmental protection in the region. With growing demands for development materials, she noted the pressing need for effective and sustainable extraction methods to meet future infrastructure requirements while safeguarding the land and waters that support local communities.
Intensive discussions during the workshop covered sustainable mining practices that involve blending traditional knowledge with modern resource extraction techniques. Participants engaged in practical exercises, applying and refining draft guidelines to address real-world conditions, which will help finalize the documents to ensure they effectively serve Tonga’s unique context.
The workshop’s field visits to operational and abandoned quarries on Tongatapu enabled participants to observe firsthand the realities of aggregate mining in Tonga, reinforcing discussions about rehabilitation strategies for degraded areas and emphasizing the importance of planning for land restoration from the outset of mining activities.
The Terrestrial Aggregate Mining Guidelines and Operations Manual are noteworthy as they directly link EIA requirements to the permitting processes for mining and quarry activities. With step-by-step guidance, these tools are poised to assist both government regulators and the private sector in fostering sustainable mining practices that minimize adverse environmental impacts, aligning seamlessly with Tonga’s development ambitions.
In light of this initiative, the hope is that Tonga will continue to pioneer sustainable governance practices in resource management, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of environmental integrity. This workshop signifies a proactive commitment to balancing development needs with ecological stewardship, highlighting the potential for a sustainable future grounded in responsible resource management.