Nauruan Phosphate Society
The Republic of Nauru Phosphate ( RONPhos ), formerly Nauru Phosphate Corporation ( NPC ; German " Nauruische Phosphatgesellschaft " ) is a state company that controls the mining of phosphate in Nauru . The Naurus economy is completely dependent on the phosphate mining, which led to the deterioration of the environment. The chairman of the NPC is currently Riddell Akua , who also sits in the Nauruan parliament . One of the past chairmen was René Harris , four-time President of Nauru.
history
In 1906 the Pacific Phosphate Company founded by the British ship officer Albert Ellis started phosphate mining with the help of the German government. After the First World War , Nauru was given to Great Britain , Australia and New Zealand . These established the British Phosphate Commissioners , who took over the rights over the phosphate.
In 1967 the Nauruer bought the mining rights from the British Phosphate Commissioner. The company was founded on July 1, 1970 and was later nationalized by Nauru, which had recently gained independence. The government gives most of the profit from the dismantling of the Nauruan population. Bad investments and corrupt business left Nauru with little money. The state tried at the UN Court of Justice to force Australia to pay compensation for the years of exploitation of the phosphate fields, which partially succeeded.
Exports were largely stopped in 2000 , although a small amount of phosphate is still being mined. Since the end of 2004 exports have increased again. Recently around 800 jobs, half of the workforce, were cut, increasing unemployment by around 10 percent.
See also: Nauru Phosphate Royalties Trust , History of Nauru , Economy of Nauru , Portal: Nauru