5 Oct 2006

New Caledonia's SLN mining firm unable to meet delivery deadlines

9:45 am on 5 October 2006

The nickel mining firm in New Caledonia, SLN says it might be forced to suspend some contracts in the face of a general strike that is preventing it from meeting its delivery schedules.

A company spokesman says the company has stocks for only about ten days and cannot load its ships to supply Asian clients

The strike by the CSTNC, the New Caledonia workers' confederation, has paralyzed production at four extraction sites since September 25th.

Union sources say the CSTNC and management at Goro Nickel will meet on Friday to discuss a number of issues including the union's demand for the departure of foreign workers employed by Goro Nickel.