A steering committee has been set up in New Caledonia to oversee the Goro nickel project.
The committee, which includes members of the government, landowners and the developers, has been set up following renewed concerns over the proposed plant's environmental impact.
The New Caledonian minister in charge of mining, Didier Leroux, says this will allow a range of views to be considered.
"The inauguration of the steering committee has been the opportunity for those who hadn't had the opportunity to speak to be able to make themselves heard, and express their concern or desires concerning the way that the Goro Nickel project would be implemented."
Didier Leroux
