11 Nov 2020

New plan to sell nickel plant stirs up unrest in New Caledonia

From , 5:01 am on 11 November 2020

Tension remains high over the future of the Vale nickel plant in the south of New Caledonia.

Three bids have been made for the Brazilian-owned asset but Vale is only considering one, whose shape was clarified last week.

This has raised the stakes in an already complex affair, with an immediate road block at the site.

Walter Zweifel has been following developments and I asked him why this sale is so contested.

A photo taken on May 27, 2015 shows Brazilian Vale's nickel processing plant of Goro in southern New Caledonia.

A photo taken on May 27, 2015 shows Brazilian Vale's nickel processing plant of Goro in southern New Caledonia. Photo: AFP PHOTO / FRED PAYET