Xstrata (Falconbridge/Noranda)

Xstrata’s Koniambo project in the South Pacific French territory of Kanaky-New Caledonia, formerly owned by Falconbridge, is coming under increasing scrutiny and criticism. The proposed nickel mine, in the northern province of Kanaky-New Caledonia, will be one of the largest mines in the world when it is built. The territory, called New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Caledonie) by the French, is called Kanaky by its native Kanak inhabitants.

MiningWatch Canada learned today, through an application under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, that the two mining companies in Ontario with the largest environmental footprint have been allowed to "self-assure" their mining operations against closure and abandonment. The companies themselves estimate the cost of that clean-up as over $585 million.

From March 9-19 an eight-member delegation visited Canada from the French “overseas territory” of New Caledonia, also known as Kanaky, in the southwestern Pacific.

The trip, billed as a “fact-finding” mission, arose from deep concern in the indigenous Kanak community over Inco’s plans to build a massive nickel mine in the island territory.