COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Above all else, Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie would like to be a key player in maintaining a good neighbour relationship with communities directly affected by the construction of its industrial complex. In order to achieve this goal, a team has been specially formed to work closely with the communities of Yaté and Mont-Dore concentrating on five main areas of development:

• To improve job opportunities and access to professional training, especially for young people.
• To take part in socio-cultural events
• To contribute to the development of community life
• To promote initiatives for the people, particularly for young people
• To facilitate the involvement of businesses from the Grand Sud.

An Harmonious Integration

Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie is going to a lot of trouble to integrate harmoniously into New Caledonia’s natural and human environment. Our company intends to act as a “corporate citizen” and wants to both maximise the positive impacts and minimise the negative impacts of the project on the local community. Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie’s commitment to New Caledonia, and more particularly to its neighbours, rests on their active participation, consultation and a desire to achieve consensus.

In order to contribute to Yaté’s economic and harmonious social development, Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie has for many years been coordinating community initiatives for those people tempted, within reason, to form associations including associations for developing commercial interests (GIE). Under the headings “Carrefour des initiatives” (Forum for Initiatives), then “Accord de bon voisinage” (Good Neighbour Agreement) and currently “Pacte citoyen” (Citizens’ Alliance), Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie has steadfastly urged the tribes of Yaté and all their representatives to join it in thinking about and implementing the necessary structures to make the South of the Grande Terre an economically and socially prosperous region.

A Permanent Partner

The spin-offs of the project for New Caledonia affect the short, medium and long term. Moreover, Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie does not want the benefits of its project to be limited to the construction and operation of a plant, but for the economic development that it generates to continue and be reflected in social life, whilst maintaining society’s natural environment. This is why it is investing heavily in the training of young people who represent the country’s future. It is also for this reason that it has preferred to devote its efforts to training in permanent jobs relating to the plant’s operation, rather than to training for temporary jobs, relating to its construction that is estimated to last only three years in total (2004-2007).

An Active Neighbour

Two centres have been set up: One in Yaté and the other in Mont-Dore, in order to bring interested job seekers and businesses involved in the construction closer together, soas to provide information to young people wishing to undergo training being offered in jobs relating to mining.

Formed on Goro’s initiative, these Coordination Centres team up a Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie employee with an advisor from the Department for Employment and Training in the Southern Province (SEF).

In collaboration with the relevant administrative departments, a third centre has been opened in Noumea. The Business Coordination Centre provides local and international sub-contractors assistance with recruitment. Amongst other things it makes it possible to ensure that competent resources available locally are employed before resorting to overseas workers.