4/11/08

Warning anger over New Caledonia nickel smelter waste pipe could turn violent



Posted at 08:03 on 10 April, 2008 UTC

There is a warning in New Caledonia that demonstrators could turn violent if the mining company, Goro Nickel, restarts work on its waste pipe.

A day of action is planned for Saturday against any further construction on the pipe which will dump waste into the lagoon.
Work on the pipe has been suspended since February but Goro Nickel wants to test the pipe between May and August, in order to start operations later in the year.

Our correspondent in Noumea, Claudine Wery, says it looks as though the protest will be peaceful but things could escalate.
“It should be a pacific demonstration because Goro Nickel suspended the installation of the pipe. But Rheebu Nuu and the Kanak leaders warn that young people were now ready to die for their environment if Goro Nickel wants to restart the installation of the pipe.”
Claudine Wery in Noumea


This has been a long and ongoing campaign for the Kanak peoples to defend the ingterity their environment. Tautoko & kia kaha for the day of action on Saturday.

see Kanak-led Opposition to Goro Nickel Widens in New Caledonia

No comments: