15 Sep 2011

New Caledonia nickel ore exports to South Korea to resume

7:29 am on 15 September 2011

New Caledonia nickel ore exports to South Korea are expected to resume following a two-week conflict.

Radio reports say clans near Ouaco have decided to load ships again from today.

The stoppage stemmed from a dispute triggered by the Kaala-Gomen tribe against the SMSP company.

It claimed that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides for them to have a share of the profit drawn from mining.

However, SMSP has said there was no question of paying royalties and warned of plans to lay off 300 employees.

The SMSP leadership has told the local newspaper that it questions the role of the tribe's advisors who reportedly include a former French secret service agent.