13 March 2013

New Caledonia seeks to control its nickel resources

                                                       Selling nickel to Asia


Islands Business
by Nic Maclellan



Nickel transporter...in New Caledonia. -- Nic Maclellan

New Caledonia’s nickel industry is being transformed as new joint ventures and exports to Asia challenge France’s control of the strategic minerals sector.

New Caledonia holds more than 25 percent of the world’s nickel reserves, as well as other strategic metals. The mining, processing and export of these ores are central to New Caledonia’s political as well as economic future, as the country moves to a new political status after 2014.

The FLNKS independence movement sees the control of the islands’ major industry as a key part of their struggle.

Read full article here.