The French minister in charge of overseas territories, Brigitte Girardin, has told people in the south of New Caledonia that efforts are being made to ensure that the Goro nickel plant will be built.
Mrs Girardin tried to give reassurances after the project was put on hold for more than six months because of cost overruns.
The head of Goro Nickel, Pierre Alla, says work will be resumed as soon as possible while confirming that all contracts with local companies will be honoured.
He says the break will be used to train local staff for the project which he says will create 15-hundred jobs.
