New Caledonian group loses bid to stop mine
Published by MAC on 2006-02-09
New Caledonian group loses bid to stop mine
by Radio Australia
9th February 2006
An indigenous group in New Caledonia has lost its bid to halt a massive nickel project on the South Pacific island.
A court this week rejected the application by the Kanak Rheebu Nuu Committee to stop the Goro nickel/cobalt project from going ahead.
The Committee had applied for the exploration licence of the Canadian-based company Inco to be revoked.
The Rheebu Nuu is seeking guarantees over environmental protection in the southern tribal area.
Thousands of Filipino workers are set to arrive in New Caledonia in the coming weeks to help construct the multi-billion dollar plant.
A final ruling on the project is expected in three months.
Mining company Goro Nickel says it's committed to protecting the environment in New Caledonia
by Radio New Zealand
9th February 2006
The mining company Goro Nickel says it's committed to protecting the environment following a court ruling allowing the company to continue work on what's set to be New Caledonia's biggest industrial project.
The indigenous group, the Kanak Rheebu Nuu Committee applied for the mine's exploration licence to be revoked, seeking guarantees for environmental protection in the southern tribal area
A final ruling is expected in three months but the Chief Executive of Goro Nickel, Ron Renton, said they would rather shut down their operation rather than harm the environment.
"No reputable company is going to take risks around environmental impact. In fact, what you do, you shut down before you have a negative, if you think that you've lost control of a process and you're going to screw up the environment to put it bluntly, then you shut down until you can assure that you can work before an impact on the environment."