1 Sep 2015

New Caledonian govt to hear nickel drivers' demands

9:12 pm on 1 September 2015

The New Caledonian Government is next week expected to consider demands made by protesting nickel carriers last month.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the drivers' union Contrakmine and the government last Friday, putting an end to 24 days of chaos in Noumea, during which drivers had used their trucks to block key access roads.

Downtown Noumea (capital of New Caledonia)

Access to Noumea was severely impacted by August's blockades Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

Although not providing any concrete response to the issue, the MoU says the territorial government will consider the drivers' demands on September 11th.

The nickel carriers and some miners had been protesting at the government's refusal to allow exports of ore to China after a slump in demand from Australia.

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