New Caledonia nickel mine considers cutting production

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Updated February 19, 2009 15:14:31

Employees in New Caledonia's SLN nickel mines are facing a reduction in working hours because of a fall in world nickel prices caused by the global economic crisis. Management at the mines will meet with union officials tomorrow to discuss cutting production by 20-percent. New Caledonia has around one fifth of the world's known nickel deposits and mining accounts for 80-per cent of the territory's exports. The SLN mine employs two and a half thousand people. SLN's Chief Executive Officer Pierre Alla told Michael Cavanagh that the company hasn't ruled out job cuts if the market doesn't improve.

presenter: Michael Cavanagh
speaker: Chief Executive of New Caledonia's SLN nickel mines, Pierre Alla

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