The Goro Nickel Mining company says it has temporarily suspended the construction of a waste disposal pipe amid protests by activists.
Goro has started to build a 21 kilometre long underwater pipe to carry liquid mining waste for disposal into the lagoon at the Havannah Channel more than a week ago.
Activists and environmentalist say the pipe will cause severe environmental damage and demand a halt to the construction.
Goro Nickel management has met with local residents at the weekend to discuss the issue.
Its spokesperson, Catherine Guillaume, says Goro has agreed to suspend the construction work temporarily.
"In order to ease the discussion process we decided to suspend temporarily the construction of the pipe in order to continue discussions with them in good conditions. The discussion will be to explain and to reassure them that there'll be no danger to eat the fish in the area."
Catherine Guillaume says further meetings are planned this week.
