12 Sep 2018

SLN's woes burden New Caledonia

From , 5:04 am on 12 September 2018

There is growing concern in New Caledonia over the impact of a mining dispute - now in its second month.

The nickel company SLN is the territory's biggest private sector employer but has been chafing for years because of the low price of nickel.

A dispute with locals at its mining site at Kouaoua on the east coast has led to a blockade which has entered its second month.

Walter Zweifel has been following the story and Johnny Blades asked him what has triggered the blockade.

The SLN plant in Noumea.

The SLN plant in Noumea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades