Critical Metals
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Nickel, New Caledonia

Nouméa / Goro, France (New Caledonia)22.26°S 166.45°E
computed criticality11/100
reading
≈6% of world production (2023); up to ≈10% of reserves; historic 3rd producer
2024
Fault line

A French Pacific territory long the world's third producer, New Caledonia holds a major share of nickel reserves, the metal of stainless steel and batteries. But the industry, undermined by costs and the tidal wave of Indonesian nickel, collapsed during the 2024 riots: SLN, Prony and Koniambo idled, on state life support. A strategic resource turned financial sinkhole and political fracture point.

Actors
SLN / Eramet (Nouméa)
Prony Resources (Goro)
Koniambo Nickel (KNS)
Feeds 1
CATL, NingdeGrids & Energy
Sources