Police in New Caledonia have cleared some road blocks in the Noumea area by groups opposed to the planned sale of the Vale nickel plant.
Vale's plant in Goro Photo: AFP PHOTO / FRED PAYET
The protest action is aimed at thwarting Vale's attempt to sell its nickel plant to a new consortium, Prony Resources, which includes a Swiss-based commodity trader Trafigura.
Instead Kanak chiefs and pro-independence parties want Vale to sell its assets to Sofinor of the Northern Province, which has a partnership with Korea Zinc.
However, Vale said the bid by Prony Resources was the only one on offer to be considered.
Vale's call for talks with the protesters has been rebuffed, with them saying they want negotiations with the French government.
Sale opponents blocking access last week have vowed to apply pressure all week, with a rally to be held at the end of the week.
In September, Vale's planned sale to New Century Resources of Australia failed, prompting the Brazilian owner to warn of the site's closure if no buyer was found by the end of October.
The Vale plant is a key employer in the very south of New Caledonia's main island.