٠٠:٠٣:٠٥Deputy of the Caledonia Together party Philippe Dunoyer described the economic impact of the widespread unrest that has gripped New Caledonia, saying thousands of jobs were lost, hundreds of businesses forced to close, and warned that 'a fatal blow' could yet be dealt to the French overseas territory's economy if the vital nickel mining sector does not recover, speaking in Noumea on Tuesday.
"Today we know the consequences that three weeks of damage, looting, rioting, and ransacking have had for the economy. Five hundred to six hundred businesses have disappeared. Six thousand, maybe seven thousand people have lost their jobs. The damage caused is valued at between 120 and 150 billion," said Dunoyer.
Nickel mining is a vital sector for the New Caledonian economy, with production accounting for a reported six percent of GDP and a quarter of employment. New Caledonia holds around 10 percent of the world's nickel reserves.
"This is why the situation of the three plants is essential. It is critical, particularly at SLN which is the last of the three plants in operation at the moment. However, SLM is experiencing enormous difficulties in terms of supply. We know that at SLN, the furnaces must operate continuously, if they are disrupted then they will not be able to restart them. And without a furnace, there is no plant," explained Dunoyer.
"Unfortunately we see that at several mining sites, work has been prevented from being performed, equipment has been destroyed, and loading has been stopped. This puts SLN increasingly on the verge of having to shut down its furnaces and close the plant down," he continued.
"Ultimately, if these plants close, they will drag the New Caledonian economy down with them. We can't afford this, we already couldn't cope with the situation we found ourselves in, but this would be a fatal blow," Dunoyer added.
France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin earlier said that French security forces have regained control of Noumea after clearing 26 barricades and deploying 400 officers.
At least seven people were killed, hundreds wounded and hundreds more arrested after violence erupted across New Caledonia, following electoral reforms passed in Paris that some claim will erode the influence of the island's indigenous community. The reforms would mean French residents of the territory for 10 years or more would be able to vote.
French President Emmanuel Macron flew in to assess the situation and said he would not push through the reforms which have already been backed by parliament. The French government deployed troops to secure ports and the airport. 1,000 additional security services personnel were also dispatched.
The indigenous Kanak community makes up 40 per cent of the population of 270,000 people. Many have long campaigned for independence. Three referenda have resulted in votes to remain with France, although the third was subject to a widespread boycott.
Thousands of jobs lost, 'critical' nickel mining sector on brink - Caledonia Together deputy on impact of recent civil unrest
Deputy of the Caledonia Together party Philippe Dunoyer described the economic impact of the widespread unrest that has gripped New Caledonia, saying thousands of jobs were lost, hundreds of businesses forced to close, and warned that 'a fatal blow' could yet be dealt to the French overseas territory's economy if the vital nickel mining sector does not recover, speaking in Noumea on Tuesday.
"Today we know the consequences that three weeks of damage, looting, rioting, and ransacking have had for the economy. Five hundred to six hundred businesses have disappeared. Six thousand, maybe seven thousand people have lost their jobs. The damage caused is valued at between 120 and 150 billion," said Dunoyer.
Nickel mining is a vital sector for the New Caledonian economy, with production accounting for a reported six percent of GDP and a quarter of employment. New Caledonia holds around 10 percent of the world's nickel reserves.
"This is why the situation of the three plants is essential. It is critical, particularly at SLN which is the last of the three plants in operation at the moment. However, SLM is experiencing enormous difficulties in terms of supply. We know that at SLN, the furnaces must operate continuously, if they are disrupted then they will not be able to restart them. And without a furnace, there is no plant," explained Dunoyer.
"Unfortunately we see that at several mining sites, work has been prevented from being performed, equipment has been destroyed, and loading has been stopped. This puts SLN increasingly on the verge of having to shut down its furnaces and close the plant down," he continued.
"Ultimately, if these plants close, they will drag the New Caledonian economy down with them. We can't afford this, we already couldn't cope with the situation we found ourselves in, but this would be a fatal blow," Dunoyer added.
France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin earlier said that French security forces have regained control of Noumea after clearing 26 barricades and deploying 400 officers.
At least seven people were killed, hundreds wounded and hundreds more arrested after violence erupted across New Caledonia, following electoral reforms passed in Paris that some claim will erode the influence of the island's indigenous community. The reforms would mean French residents of the territory for 10 years or more would be able to vote.
French President Emmanuel Macron flew in to assess the situation and said he would not push through the reforms which have already been backed by parliament. The French government deployed troops to secure ports and the airport. 1,000 additional security services personnel were also dispatched.
The indigenous Kanak community makes up 40 per cent of the population of 270,000 people. Many have long campaigned for independence. Three referenda have resulted in votes to remain with France, although the third was subject to a widespread boycott.
Deputy of the Caledonia Together party Philippe Dunoyer described the economic impact of the widespread unrest that has gripped New Caledonia, saying thousands of jobs were lost, hundreds of businesses forced to close, and warned that 'a fatal blow' could yet be dealt to the French overseas territory's economy if the vital nickel mining sector does not recover, speaking in Noumea on Tuesday.
"Today we know the consequences that three weeks of damage, looting, rioting, and ransacking have had for the economy. Five hundred to six hundred businesses have disappeared. Six thousand, maybe seven thousand people have lost their jobs. The damage caused is valued at between 120 and 150 billion," said Dunoyer.
Nickel mining is a vital sector for the New Caledonian economy, with production accounting for a reported six percent of GDP and a quarter of employment. New Caledonia holds around 10 percent of the world's nickel reserves.
"This is why the situation of the three plants is essential. It is critical, particularly at SLN which is the last of the three plants in operation at the moment. However, SLM is experiencing enormous difficulties in terms of supply. We know that at SLN, the furnaces must operate continuously, if they are disrupted then they will not be able to restart them. And without a furnace, there is no plant," explained Dunoyer.
"Unfortunately we see that at several mining sites, work has been prevented from being performed, equipment has been destroyed, and loading has been stopped. This puts SLN increasingly on the verge of having to shut down its furnaces and close the plant down," he continued.
"Ultimately, if these plants close, they will drag the New Caledonian economy down with them. We can't afford this, we already couldn't cope with the situation we found ourselves in, but this would be a fatal blow," Dunoyer added.
France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin earlier said that French security forces have regained control of Noumea after clearing 26 barricades and deploying 400 officers.
At least seven people were killed, hundreds wounded and hundreds more arrested after violence erupted across New Caledonia, following electoral reforms passed in Paris that some claim will erode the influence of the island's indigenous community. The reforms would mean French residents of the territory for 10 years or more would be able to vote.
French President Emmanuel Macron flew in to assess the situation and said he would not push through the reforms which have already been backed by parliament. The French government deployed troops to secure ports and the airport. 1,000 additional security services personnel were also dispatched.
The indigenous Kanak community makes up 40 per cent of the population of 270,000 people. Many have long campaigned for independence. Three referenda have resulted in votes to remain with France, although the third was subject to a widespread boycott.