The New Caledonian Goro Nickel company says it is not breaking the laws.
A court in Paris two weeks ago ordered Goro Nickel to stop construction at the waste storage site amid environmental concerns.
The company's director general, Ron Renton, says it has stopped all construction activity at its waste storage site.
Mr Renton says it is continuing conservatory works on order of the southern province government that will ensure the environmental safety of the site.
He stresses that Goro is and will obide by all laws.
"We are not acting against the law. The directive from the Province Sud takes into account that to religiously respect what the court in Paris has handed down would create a significant risk to the environment with the approaching wet season."
Mr Renton dismisses suggestions made by a project opponent, Rheebu Nuu, that it is continuing construction secretly.
He adds that Goro Nickel will appeal the court's decision and is confident that its waste storage site is environmentally friendly.
