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NLIS 4
July 6, 2006
(Executive Council)
(Natural Resources)

 

                  Premier urges federal government to carefully review merger of INCO �

In light of the recently announced merger between INCO, Falconbridge Limited and Phelps Dodge Corporated, Premier Danny Williams has written Prime Minister Stephen Harper and urged the federal government to ensure that INCO is living up to the expectations they have created in this province, including the building of a hydomet processing facility for the nickel ore coming out of Voisey�s Bay. �

�The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has watched with great interest the events of the past year concerning takeover proposals both for and by Inco Limited,� said Premier Williams. �Obviously the future of INCO has a tremendous impact on this province, particularly the people of the Argentia region where just a few short months ago the President of INCO presided over a sod turning ceremony. I have written the Prime Minister to seek his assurance that as the Government of Canada proceeds with its due diligence of takeover and merger arrangements involving Inco, it will ensure the company commits to the use of hydromet technology in Newfoundland and Labrador for its Voisey's Bay project.� �

The project has an estimated capital cost of $800 million, will employ about 1,000 people per year during its three-year construction period and about 400 per year during subsequent operations. �It will thus have a major impact on the provincial economy. �

Minister Kathy Dunderdale indicated that this will be one of her main priorities as the newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources. �I am very anxious to see INCO proceed with the hydromet processing facility, and I will be making contact with my federal counterpart on this issue as quickly as possible, to ensure that the federal government does everything necessary to protect the interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.� �

Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 351-1227 elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca
Tracy Barron, Communications, Natural Resources, (709) 729-5282, 690-1703, tracybarron@gov.nl.ca  

2006 07 06                                                      1:40 p.m.      


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