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At all of our mining properties, we seek to work in close partnership with our local community representatives in order to foster better understanding and stronger mutual relationships with our neighbouring communities. In New Caledonia, our consultation with project stakeholders has provided us with valuable input into the design and development of the Goro project.
For example, over the last several years, we have conducted a number of public opinion surveys to better understand local concerns about the project. In a survey of the local Melanesian population, over 80 per cent of those surveyed favoured the project, including 60 per cent who indicated that they had a very favourable opinion of the project. Those who were opposed cited environmental concerns, including issues such as dust creation and the protection of rare and endangered species. In a public opinion survey of the residents of Nouméa, completed in 2000, nearly 60 per cent were aware of the project and approximately 88 per cent were in favour of it, particularly with the prospect of job creation and economic development.
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In February and October 2003, we also held over ten focus groups to consult with the general public, employees and indigenous people to help us address their concerns and information needs about our Goro project. We will continue to monitor local public opinion to help identify and address community concerns where they exist.
In addition to these activities, we made some 72 community presentations in 2002 and held informal public meetings in our local communities of Yaté and Mont-Dore. Between 1995 and 2002, there were over 1,800 visitors to Goro Nickel. We have also conducted seven open houses in the Goro, Mont-Dore, Yaté and Nouméa areas. We have met extensively with the Groupe de Travail, a local liaison committee represented by the Chief of the Mont-Dore Tribe, the Chief of the Goro Tribe, four representatives of the Goro Yaté committee and government representatives for the Province Sud State, the Municipality of Mont-Dore and of Yaté.
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Good Neighbour Agreement
As we move forward with the project, we want to implement a Good Neighbour Agreement. We believe that in order for this project to be a success, we must have a mutual understanding with the neighbouring communities that stand to benefit from the project –Yaté and Mont-Dore – and clearly establish our commitments to each other. Through the Good Neighbour Agreement, our goal is to build sustainable relationships with the neighbouring communities based on mutual respect and trust, active partnership and long-term commitment.
In addition to promoting local employment and training programs, the Good Neighbour Agreement will also consider business and service development opportunities and partnerships with local companies, so that they have a fair chance to participate in the project. We will also explore ways for community members to serve in an advisory capacity on key aspects of our operations, such as on environmental matters and revegetation programs.
Speaking at a Yaté-Mont-Dore community meeting last spring, Inco Chairman and CEO Scott Hand expressed his hope that ongoing consultations would lead to the development of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between Goro Nickel and its local communities: “I would like to call it a Good Neighbour Agreement because that is what I hope and believe we can become – good neighbours.”
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