New Caledonia's Goro Nickel company has rejected corruption allegations made by the Kanak Rheebu Nuu group.
It has issued a statement, saying it has instructed its lawyers to counter the claims which it says are defamatory.
Goro Nickel rejects attempts to question the integrity of its director, Ron Renton.
This comes amid a complaint lodged by Rheebu Nuu which says Mr Renton was complicit in a corrupt deal with the president of the southern province, Philippe Gomes.
Goro Nickel says the awarding of sub-contracts for the project is transparent which also applies to a purchase agreement struck with a company whose main shareholder is Mr Gomes.