Unrest in New Caledonia has intensified following the announcement that Vale has signed a sale agreement for its nickel plant in the south of the country.
Opponents of the proposed sale of the Vale NC plant display independent Kanak flags on a filter dam on the outskirts of the agglomeration of Noumea. Photo: Théo Rouby / Hans Lucas
The Brazilian-owned nickel company has signed the agreement with Prony Resources, a consortium comprising New Caledonian and international investors including Swiss-based commodity company, Trafigura.
Vale announced the news on Wednesday amidst heightened tension from pro-independence Kanak groups opposed to the involvement of Trafigura.
Since the announcement, tension has continued to mount with angry protesters setting up roadblocks and causing major disruption.
Anti-independence supporters, who are backing the deal, have also set up roadblocks to counter those set up by opponents of the deal.
Counter demonstrators occupy a roadblock held the day before by Kanak militants. They want to secure traffic and show their anger against the blockades organized for several weeks by opponents of the plan to sell the Vale NC plant. Photo: Théo Rouby / Hans Lucas
Increased hostility between pro- and anti-independence supporters has led the French High Commissioner to New Caledonia, Laurent Prévost, to issue an order prohibiting the carrying of firearms and other weapons.
Yesterday, petrol stations throughout the country remained closed after a petrol station in Mont Dore, near the capital Noumea, was targeted by arsonists on Tuesday night.
In parts of the Southern province other services have also remained closed including doctors' clinics, pharmacies and schools.
International flights have been suspended as a safety measure for passengers travelling to and from the airport which is situated about 50km from Noumea.
At the Vale plant site, around 300 employees were evacuated after an administrative building was set alight by protesters yesterday.
This file photo taken on May 27, 2015 shows Brazilian Vale's nickel processing plant of Goro in southern New Caledonia. Photo: AFP
The site is currently under police protection after angry protesters made several attempts to force their way in.
Late yesterday, leaders of New Caledonia's anti-independence parties met via video-link with the French Overseas Minister, Sebastien Lecornu.
The meeting, which was boycotted by pro-independence leaders, was part of a series of meetings to discuss the country's institutional future.