A joint venture company has been set up in New Caledonia as part of work related to the giant Vale nickel project.
The arrangement between Goro Mines and Ireland's Roadbridge is aimed at carrying out earthworks near the Vale plant in the territory's south.
Roadbridge is to have a 70 percent stake in the venture, with the contract estimated to be worth 160 million US dollars.
According to the local newspaper, the joint venture will employ 240 people, among them 35 Irishmen.
It says the work will involve the removal of four million cubic metres of soil at the Goro mine site.
