NEW CALEDONIA: Temporary halt for Goro Nickel pipeline
Updated
Residents and conservationists in New Caledonia have welcomed a temporary halt to construction of an underwater wastepipe being built by mining firm Goro Nickel. Goro Nickel was forced to stop work on the pipe at the weekend, after environmental activists and the local community demonstrated near the construction site. They want the waste pipe project to be abandoned.
Presenter: Sandrine Ducrot
Speakers: Guy Fohringer of the environmental organisation CoDefSud, Catherine Guillaume Goro Nickel's Communication Executive.
DUCROT: Construction work began on the 23-kilometre underwater pipe two weeks ago. Its purpose is to carry mining waste into the lagoon at the Havannah Channel. Environmental groups want the project stopped, saying the outfall will cause severe environmental damage. At the weekend, Goro Nickel called a temporary halt to the work, and met local residents to discuss the issue. Conservationist Guy Fohringer says Goro should abandon the project altogether:
FOHRINGER: We are extremely worried, because the waste could contain heavy metals, such as chromium or cobalt. They talked about manganese as well. But Goro Nickel promised to reduce the manganese residue to respect environmental norms. Traces of solvent could also be found in the waste. We are deeply concerned about that because it could contaminate the food chain.
DUCROT: But Goro Nickel management says the pipeline is an essential component in the mining project. Goro company spokeswoman Catherine Guillaume insists the mining outfall won't pose a pollution risk:
GUILLAME: The waste complies with all the French and European regulations which are very strict. Since it is safe, we could have decided to dispose of the waste directly in the port of the mining factory. But a safer option was chosen. We are building a longer pipe to carry it 23 kilometers away. This solution allows a better dispersion of the waste as the currents are stronger in this location.
DUCROT: Ms Guillame says construction work has been halted temporarily, while the firm holds talks with the community on the pipeline's safety:
GUILLAME: The halt of the construction is a strong way to demonstrate that we are ready to listen to the locals. This is proof that we take their concerns into account. Until we have given them official answers to their questions and explained the process, the construction will remain stopped. But this is just a symbolic gesture; this is how it should be understood.
DUCROT: Goro Nickel says it hopes to give its official response to residents and conservationists in the coming days. But it says it hopes to proceed with construction as soon as possible. That's likely to attract further opposition from those living near the site in the future.
