Nickel mine in New Caledonia Photo: AFP PHOTO MARC LECHELARD
A broad consultation has been launched by the government of New Caledonia about the territory's nickel resource to develop strategies for the future.
The nickel sector with its 35 mines and three processing plants accounts for about 20 percent of the jobs in New Caledonia.
The government's ambition is to position New Caledonia as an ethical and responsible producer.
It plans to canvas views from those involved in the industry but also from civil society in order to present conclusions from working groups by mid-December.
New Caledonia is the fourth biggest nickel ore producer in the world and the seventh largest nickel producer.
However, SLN, which operates the oldest smelter in Noumea, is feared to approach insolvency while Vale of Brazil said it was about to shut its plant at Goro.