The leader of the pro-independence Caledonian Union has rejected last week's claim that Paris was kept out of the loop about the bidding for the Vale nickel plant.
Vale is in exclusive negotiations with a French-backed proposal by a new consortium Prony Resources after rejecting a bid by Sofinor of the Northern Province to buy the plant in the Southern Province.
However, groups backing Sofinor have been demonstrating for Vale to consider Sofinor's bid and last month unsuccessfully tried to meet the visiting French overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu.
New Caledonia nickel mine Photo: AFP
In an open letter to the minister, the Caledonian Union's Daniel Goa says the French High Commission even refused to accept the files on the subject.
Last week, Mr Lecornu said he wasn't told about the Sofinor bid while he was in Noumea last month.
Following last week's blockades and protests by the Sofinor supporters, video talks have been scheduled on Thursday between New Caledonian political leaders and Mr Lecornu.
