An investigation of the social dynamics of indigenous mining in New Caledonia

Nickel mining commenced in New Caledonia in 1868 and continues to be the major business activity of that region. Traditionally the mining sector has polarized New Caledonian society via a complex mix of economic, cultural and environmental issues. In 1999 the New Caledonian and French governments initiated a future-focused program of "reequilibrage" or rebalancing of opportunities for the New Caledonian indigenous Kanak people. "Reequilibrage" aims to create a new identity for all New Caledonians - an identity that builds upon the multicultural mix of modern New Caledonia. A critical component of this rebalancing is the commencement of a major new world-class nickel mining venture at Koniambo (in the Kanak Northern Province) in 2014 and this venture is majority Kanak owned and operated. The literature confirms that no published review of this venture has been completed since its opening. Such a review is important because New Caledonians must vote by the end of 2018 on the issue of independence from France. This research into the social dynamics of the Koniambo project must ensure that all stake-holder voices are represented accurately and that the investigation is not simply a one-dimensional "cost/benefit analysis". This research fits within sociology, and within this domain, the research uses the following empirical investigative approaches: social dynamics, actor-network theory, hagiography and critical discourse analysis (for core data analysis). Social dynamics and actor-network theory combine to facilitate the selection of stakeholder-groups within New Caledonian society that represent a maximised intersection of the Koniambo project across New Caledonian daily life. Hagiography provides the vital context that then allows critical discourse analysis to unpack the expressed opinions and policies that link stakeholders. In this manner the project results will be most representative of the current social dynamics concerning a flagship project of "reequilibrage"