Government to meet with Inco on Voisey�s Bay

Premier Roger Grimes and Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews announced today that they will be traveling to Toronto this weekend to meet with Inco CEO Scott Hand regarding the Voisey�s Bay Project. Minister Mathews said that the purpose of this informal meeting is to determine if there is a basis for further discussions.

This is the first meeting held between the province and Inco on the Voisey�s Bay Project since negotiations were suspended indefinitely in January of 2000.

"The position of this government on Voisey�s Bay has not changed," said Minister Matthews. "We will not sign an agreement that does not involve the processing of concentrate to a final nickel metal in the province."

Minister Matthews noted that a media briefing will be provided next week to update the public on the results of the Voisey�s Bay discussions.

Media contact: Gary Callahan (709) 729-4890.

2001 02 28                                       3:05 p.m.