18 Jul 2017

New Caledonia's SLN mine belt system repaired

12:59 pm on 18 July 2017

The SLN nickel company in New Caledonia says the belt system damaged in a fire at the start of the month has been repaired.

The SLN plant in Noumea.

The SLN plant in Noumea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The fire, which was suspicious, damaged more than 300 metres of an 11 kilometre conveyor belt system which feeds ore to the coast for shipping to the SLN nickel smelter in Noumea.

The incident in Kouaoua crippled operations at the site which is the area's main employer.

It's not known how much it cost to repair the damage.

SLN has been running at a loss of more than $US20 million a month after years of deficits caused by a depressed nickel price.