Goro Nickel Mine

Kanaky-New Caledonia
Inco Ltd.
CPP: $130 million[1]

Home to the world’s greatest barrier reef system, largest lagoon, and unique plant and animal species, Kanaky-New Caledonia is a biodiversity hotspot.[2] This biological treasure-trove may be irrevocably damaged if mining giant Inco moves ahead with plans for a massive open pit mine. Arguing that they were not consulted, native Kanaks oppose further construction - citing the project’s potential social and environmental impacts.[3] The Kanaks’ concerns are credible - in 2006, erosion controls employed by the company failed, contaminating an important marine protected area.[4] In June 2006, an administrative tribunal responded to a complaint by the Kanak organization, Rheebu Nuu, by canceling Goro’s mining license, arguing that the project’s potential environmental impacts had not been adequately studied.[5] The company is appealing the decision,[6] but has proceeded with mine development, relying on a separate construction permit.[7]


[1] CPP Investment Board Canadian Equity Holdings as of March 31, 2006. http://www.cppib.ca/files/PDF/Canadian_Equity_Holdings.pdf
 

[2] Patterson, Kelly. Into the Final frontier: In the race for resources, Canadian mining firms are leading the charge into environmental hotspots. The Ottawa Citizen. October 2, 2005

[3] See Rheebu Nuu web site: www.rheebunuu.com 

[4] Goro in New Erosion Control Failure. Mining Environmental Management. April 26, 2006.

[5] Tribunal Administratif de Nouvelle-Calédonie No 0536. 

http://www.eca-watch.org/problems/asia_pacific/kanaky/Decision_Tribunal_14juin06.pdf

New Caledonia Mine Protesters Score Court Victory. Radio Australia. June 15, 2006.

http://www.minesandcommunities.org/Action/press1112.htm

[6] While Inco has not initiated a legal appeal of the tribunal’s decision, it has announced plans to solicit a new mining license.

See interim financial statements of July 26, 2006 at

http://www.sedar.com/DisplayCompanyDocuments.do?lang=EN&issuerNo=00001084