The nickel sector continues to struggle
Since the start of the crisis in New Caledonia, metallurgical factories and mining centers have been slowing down, or even not at all. One more blow to the consequences “catastrophic” for a nickel industry already in great difficulty.
If, in terms of security, the situation has clearly improved in the archipelago, where around 3,500 soldiers, gendarmes and police will eventually be deployed, mining and metallurgical activity has been at a standstill since May 13 and the beginning of the violent protest against the reform of the electoral body.
At the entrance to Nouméa, the pyrometallurgical factory of Société Le Nickel (SLN) was even at the forefront of the clashes between rioters and the police which took place a few hundred meters from the site, classified ICPE (Classified Installations for environmental protection).
Scattered across the archipelago, its five mining centers are at a standstill and the factory’s ore reserves are decreasing, posing a risk to the industrial tool. To be kept in working order, high temperature ovens must be powered continuously. Gold “we ride on the reserve”an internal source told Agence France-Presse (AFP), confirming the concern of the unions who called last week for the lifting of blockades on mining sites.
SLN, a historic nickel mining company in New Caledonia launched at the end of the 19th centurye century, has also been the target of several intrusions and destruction on its sites in Thio and Kouaoua, on the east coast of Grande-Terre.
In the south of New Caledonia, the Prony Resources factory, looking for a buyer, also owed the maintenance of its activity to a State loan of 140 million euros in March, which ensures its survival until March 2025. However, the site has been completely shut down since the start of the riots, the company confirmed to AFP.
Finally, the Koniambo Nickel (KNS) factory, in the north of the island, has been dormant since February following the decision of the Anglo-Swiss group Glencore, 49% shareholder, which wishes to sell its shares after having accumulated the losses.