The New Caledonian Goro Nickel mining company is still confident it will start production at its new plant in late 2008.
The 3.2 billion US dollar project, which will add 60,000 tonnes of nickel to the world supply, has seen delays, cost explosions and resistance by local groups, in particular Rheebu Nuu.
A spokesperson for the company, Catherine Guillaume, says about 5,000 people are on site to construct the plant, more than half of them are locals.
Ms Guillaume is optimistic Goro Nickel will finish construction according to its plans.
"Construction is going quite well, despite the bad weather that we had recently. We had lots of rain so it is not easy to reach the objective in terms of timing with so much rain. We are today still sure and confident to be able to finish everything by the and of next year."
Ms Guillaume says the international peace council, Khredda, is still acting as a mediator between the company, the local government and Rheebu Nuu.