Eramet, a leader in the nickel market

Founded in 1880, SLN is the world’s oldest nickel mining and metallurgical company, and has maintained its position as New Caledonia’s largest private employer ever since. It produced 5.8 Mth of nickel ore in 2023 for the stainless steel market, part of which was processed on site (44.8 kt of Fe Ni).

In 2022, Weda Bay Nickel became the world’s largest nickel mine.

In keeping with Eramet’s CSR roadmap, the mine’s management employs the best internationally recognized mining techniques (storage of tailings, water management and revegetation). The Group is committed to developing a responsible industry, and has scheduled an IRMA audit of the mine.

As part of an ongoing dialogue with local communities and authorities, IWIP, the company that comprises all the partners in the Weda Bay industrial park, is implementing a socially responsible development program. Numerous initiatives in the areas of economic development, education, health and culture have been launched as part of this program.

• 5 MW of electricity provided to villages near the industrial park
• 30 neighboring villages benefiting from CSR programs
• 2.9 km of roads built to open up access

SLN is engaged in ongoing site rehabilitation, and its operations are sustainable, notably in terms of managing the impact on local communities and the environment. Given the large volume of waste rock handled in its operations, SLN has made the proper storage of this waste (through stable tailings piles) and its revegetation a key environmental priority.

As a responsible company, SLN also makes an active contribution to development projects in the local communities where it operates. For example, it recently provided financial support for the construction of a local housing development, the installation of a drinking water system, port expansion, road rehabilitation, and forest restoration (reforestation and control of invasive species). The company also plays a part in the economic development and diversification of the regions in which it operates, supporting economic activities and associations that promote entrepreneurship.

• More than 100 micro-credits granted each year to projects in mining villages through the French Agency for the Promotion of Economic Development (ADIE).

The Group has developed an ongoing dialogue with all its stakeholders, in particular communities and authorities, with the aim of securing a social license for its operations. To date, over 80% of the workforce at the industrial complex has come from Halmahera or North Maluku province. The surrounding villages benefit both directly and indirectly from the project’s economic development.

In addition to engaging with the inhabitants of the coastal villages, WBN interacts with small nomadic groups (known as the Forest Tobelo) living in the interior of the island, who have developed lifestyles and cultural practices distinct from the other inhabitants. Anthropological studies carried out since 2010 with the support of international experts show that none of these groups live in coastal areas.

Weda Bay Nickel launched a new field study dedicated to the Forest Tobelo in 2023, led by a local anthropologist with recognized expertise in the field. This study will help all local stakeholders to understand and respect the way of life of these people, and to better identify the risks of potential impacts due to the mine.

In the event of interactions with the Forest Tobelo, WBN has established clear rules for all its employees and subcontractors so as to ensure that they interact with them in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner. So far, the recommendation has been to keep any such interactions to a bare minimum, and to only interact if the Forest Tobelo themselves show they are willing to do so.