On Thursday, October 1, the French government is hosting a summit aimed at attracting investors and revitalising wealth creation in France’s overseas territories. Among the key assets Paris hopes to highlight is New Caledonian nickel. However, this vital industry has been severely weakened by the political deadlock and tensions that have rocked the archipelago in recent years.
The nickel mine in Thio, one of the oldest in the world, has been shut down since 2024. Some residents hope operations will resume, but many believe the decision to focus entirely on nickel in the region was a mistake.
FRANCE 24’s Karim Yahiaoui and Achraf Abid report from New Caledonia.