The Canadian nickel company, Inco, has agreed to a further environmental impact study of its planned project in the south of New Caledonia.
The Goro nickel project is one of the biggest industrial enterprises to be undertaken in the region and has faced protests by local Kanaks who have expressed concern at the possible impact of the mine and the processing plant on the area.
The head of Inco, Scott Hand, and the president of the southern province, Philippe Gomes, have held discussions in Noumea and agree that all scientific assurances for the safety of the project have to be found.
The new study is to be carried out by a European institute, Geoscience, and the French research institute, IRD.
