4 Apr 2006

Talks follow New Caledonia nickel site riots

4:25 pm on 4 April 2006

Talks have been scheduled in New Caledonia today to resolve the dispute surrounding the Goro Nickel project in the territory's south following two days of clashes that brought work at the site to an indefinite standstill.

The roundtable talks of the major stakeholders follow vandalism by Kanaks opposed to the project.

The operators have demanded guarantees for the safety of the nearly 2000 workers while the Kanak groups have sought ways to have the area protected against pollution.

Four people were injured in the clashes between Kanak militants and French riot police.

The material damage has been put at about 10 million US dollars.