In total the project mobilizes more than 4

A crucial elections approach, the path of the New Caledonian mining industry remains sowed minefield. The two major projects, Goro, in the South province, managed by the Brazilian Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD), and Koniambo, in the North, led by the Swiss Xstrata and pro-independence SMSP (South Pacific mining company), know different spells.

Goro advance great despite an attack on the part of an indigenous minority and ecologist. The port is almost complete. One of the two pontoons is used since July, the other is almost ready. Remains to finish the installation of the conveyor and fuel tanks. "Construction of sulfuric acid plant is underway, work on the settling tanks moving well," said an official of the site. The earthworks are conducted at 95, 90 engineering. Commands, they spent up to 95.

On the site are working permanently between 2.700 and 2.800 people, including 75 of New Caledonians and a very large majority of Melanesians. In total, the project mobilizes more than 4.300 people in New Caledonia. The site uses the services of some 600 sub-contracting micro, including a 50 led of Kanaks.

Since the resumption of the work in November 2004, after a suspension of two years for cost overrun, Inco, now passed into the fold of CVRD, has committed locally $ 450 million for a project costed around $ 3 billion.

At this point, total expenditures amounted to $ 1.6 billion. So that any back appears difficult, says a close to the record. And this despite the recent judgment of the Paris TGI, suspension of work on the tailings storage areas. Requested by Goro Nickel, the Court of appeal must give its opinion on 2 February. Meanwhile, controversy is well underway between the Melanesian supporters of the project, including Hilarion Vendegou, customary grand Chief of the Isle of pines, and his denigrators, led by Raphaël Mapou and Rock Wamytan, grand customary Chief of the tribe of St. Louis.

Development of the VKT zone

In contrast, 350 kilometres further north in Koniambo, the site marks the step. For the time being, only 192 people, including 142 based in New Caledonia, work on the project, says in "Echos" Ian Pearce, Xstrata Nickel, Executive Director file loaded. "This number will increase when we begin the work of preparation in the next weeks and months," he assured.

When Falconbridge, now controlled by Xstrata, began the studies, a little more than 500 million dollars have been spent on the project. However, for 2007, the Group has approved that an investment of $ 110 million for the renewal phase which ends in August 2007, compared with 182 million for the whole of the year 2006.

"After the end of August 2007, it will no doubt other investments that would be the total amount consented on the year close to that of 2006", said Ian Pearce. The Executive Director of Xstrata Nickel, the bulk of the spending the construction of the mining and metallurgical complex requires an investment total valued at 3 billion to date implicated in 2008 and a maintained current 2010 commissioning in 2009.

The delay by the site is explained by the revision of the cost of the project. Costs which increased considerably, as those of all major mining projects in the world. The displayed objective is to compress them about 30 to make the "financially viable" project, insists Ian Pearce. To calm the local impatience, North province, run by separatists, has decided to go ahead.

With the contract development 2006-2010 signed with the State, the development of the VKT (Voh-Koné-Pouembout) area is launched. North province provides to more than 670 million euros by 2010. One thing is certain: the development of the VKT area on the West coast of Grande Terre, won't wait for the construction of the plant of Koniambo. Moreover, André Dang, President of the SMSP, multiply contacts in China for strategic partnerships in addition to that with the South Korean steelmaker Posco. With the French State, doubt is gaining ground in the determination of Xstrata Nickel to finalize the project. The departments concerned are still waiting for "an irrevocable commitment" of the share of Xstrata "before the spring", says a departmental head at the "echoes". For its part, Xstrata considers that the investments made so far and those planned for 2007 are sufficient to justify good faith...