POSCO has announced that a group of nine representatives of New Caledonian aboriginal tribes visited SNNC for three days between April 5th 2010 and April 7th 2010.

The visit was planned to promote achievements by the joint nickel smelting project of SNNC and SMSP, as well as enhance bilateral understanding through cultural exchanges. SNNC provided the New Caledonian natives with trips to POSCO Gwangyang Works and the SNNC ferronickel factory, among others.

Mr Julien Boanemoi, representative of the New Caledonian Aboriginal Tribe Association, said that "I am very excited to see the nickel factory. The project will contribute much to the future growth of the two countries involved, not to mention the two companies. We will fully support the project as it will have an effect on the well-being of our future generations."

New Caledonian Aboriginal Tribe Association, founded in 1999, is an advisory body composed of 16 aboriginals, which has been an advocate of the native New Caledonians on social and economic issues. The organization helped in the launch of the project, as it approved the license ownership transfer and the export of ore.