New Caledonia's Goro Nickel company says the groups opposed to its project in the territory's south are not above the law.
In a statement, the company says groups such as Rheebu Nuu and Caugern should not complain that legal action has been taken against them for their activities in 2004 when they caused material damage during a protest.
The statement follows this month's successful court challenge by the groups which claimed that an old licence for Goro had failed to meet environmental standards to operate its planned nickel plant.
Goro Nickel says it has been in the process of getting a new licence and is confident the plant will be ready next year.
