New Caledonia: political agreement on the takeover of the nickel plant of the Brazilian giant Vale
The Goro site, in New Caledonia.
AFP / Marc Le Chelard
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In New Caledonia, the takeover of the nickel plant of the Brazilian Vale, an industrial jewel of the island, has just found a political agreement between loyalists, separatists and Kanak customary chiefs, an agreement which should save 3,000 jobs.
This sensitive and ultra political issue has been agitating this French community in Oceania for months, the separatists of the FLNKS and Kanak chiefdoms opposing the takeover of Vale by a Caledonian and international consortium, of which the trading giant Trafigura is a part.
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The agreement that was reached goes against what denounced the separatists who fear losing control of the country's wealth, since Trafigura, the Swiss trader, remains in the financial package at 19%.
A pension fund will have 30%.
The remaining 51% will be held by employees, local populations and three New Caledonian provinces (south, north, Loyalty Islands).
One billion will be provided by private shareholders.
The Brazilian Valé, he leaves 500 million in his coffers to finance a storage facility.
Contribution of the determining State
But, it is above all the contribution of the State, 400 million euros in guarantees and loans, which was decisive in this recovery project.
"
Without the financial intervention of the State, the deal could not be done
", recognizes a local politician at the heart of the negotiations.
Partnership with Tesla
The other major influence is the industrial partnership concluded with Tesla, the American giant in the construction of electric vehicles, which needs nickel to build its batteries within the new consortium, henceforth called "Goro Resources".
With this agreement, the nickel plant, classified Seveso, which had been stormed by rioters and which has been shut down since December 10, should be able to restart soon.
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To read also:
New Caledonia: Sébastien Lecornu is considering a "new status" in the event of no in the referendum of 2022
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