The French high commission in New Caledonia has appealed for an end to provocations which have led to a suspension of construction work on the two-billion US dollar Goro Nickel project.
The high commission in Noumea has issued a statement, saying it will act to ensure public safety.
Last week, hundreds of people marched through the streets to demand that the state intervene for the project to continue.
On Friday, about 100 police using armoured vehicles and a helicopter moved into Saint Louis near Noumea to seize about 200 tyres after protestors there had been setting up roadblocks.
